vinyjunkie I saw this movie many years ago (I think in the theater) and remembered really enjoying it. After watching it again, I still really liked the story. There's not really much to say about this movie other than the fact that it is extremely solid. Everything about it is good and it's hard to find many flaws at all in this film. Perfectly cast and well-acted, the story, emotion, score, acting...it was all right on, especially the script and performance by Michael Caine, both of which won Oscars. It's a really relaxing movie with beautiful scenery and soundtrack. Overall, this is a touching movie that I recommend to everyone.

estebangonzalez10 "Goodnight, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England."Michael Caine's second Oscar win came from his 1999 supporting role in The Cider House Rules, and despite delivering a solid performance I wouldn't even rank it amongst his best work. The true standout here was Tobey Maguire who delivers a very subtle performance and is the main reason why the story works so well. I'd say it's the best performance of his career. The film is old-fashioned (and the references to Dickens' David Copperfield reinforce that claim even more) as it manages to capture the humanity in the story with a wonderful adaptation from John Irving of his own 1985 novel. The film isn't afraid of tackling some moral dilemmas such as abortion and incest, and it does so without forcing a point of view on the audience. Lasse Hallstrom directs this film with his characteristic beautiful visual style although at times the melodrama can be a bit too sentimental. I felt like the film was much more similar in style to his prior film, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, as it focuses on several family dynamics and various subplots in a similar way. This is also as close as a Dickens movie we will get set in America. The film isn't perfect however and there are several relationships that feel forced, but I assume it has to do with trying to fit the most important elements of the novel into a two hour movie. The film opens with a voice-over narration from Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine) explaining how he became the orphanage director at St. Cloud, Maine. He takes special interest in a young boy named Homer Wells who is returned back to the orphanage immediately by every foster parent who attempts to adopt him. After a while it becomes evident to Dr. Larch that Homer will stay with them for a long time so he begins to teach him everything he knows about being a doctor. After several years, now Homer is a grown man (Tobey Maguire) who becomes Dr. Wilbur's assistant in the orphanage. When Lt. Wally (Paul Rudd) and his pregnant girlfriend Candy (Charlize Theron) show up at the orphanage to have an abortion that Dr. Larch is willing to do, Homer decides it is time to explore the outside world and leaves with the young couple. Wally offers him a job at his family's apple farm which he gladly accepts. Before heading back to war, Wally and Candy take Homer to see the ocean for the very first time and this is just the first of many first time experiences that Candy will go on to introduce him to. Meanwhile, Dr. Wilbur has hopes that Homer will return and carry on the work which he has groomed him for, but he refuses to consider himself a doctor and seems to be enjoying life picking apples and spending time with Candy. There are a couple of strong supporting performances from Delroy Lindo as one of the men in charge of the apple picking group and Erykah Badu who plays his daughter. Jane Alexander and Kathy Baker are two of the nurses in the orphanage who work with Dr. Larch. Some of the child actors playing orphans deliver some strong scenes as Kieran Culkin, Erik Per Sullivan, and Paz de la Huerta specially stand out. My greatest complaint with the cast however is that J.K. Simmons is given absolutely nothing to do here playing Candy's father. He seems to be only in a couple of montage scenes, but they completely misuse him. One of the strengths of the film however is that despite a shocking discovery surrounding Delroy Lindo's character, he is never portrayed as a one dimensional character. There is some complexity to his character and he isn't simply portrayed as a villain. On the moral dilemma surrounding the issue of abortion we have two characters with differing points of views, on the one hand Dr. Larch is very much for it, while Homer who has more faith in humanity is against it. The film may take a slightly pro abortion stand, but it doesn't feel heavy handed considering the main issue here is Homer's struggle to discover his own identity or follow the destiny Wilbur has traced for him. http://estebueno10.blogspot.com/

SnoopyStyle Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine) runs an orphanage located at the isolated train stop St. Cloud's, Maine. Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) was twice rejected in adoptions and grows up to be Larch's apprentice. Larch teaches him everything including performing abortions but he disagrees on abortions. Everybody loves him. In 1943, Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd) and girlfriend Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron) come for an abortion. Homer decides to leave the orphanage with them to everyone's chagrin including Dr. Larch. He works at their apple farm staying in their Cider House with the seasonal workers. Wally goes off to war. Candy and Homer start an affair together. Dr. Larch is setting up for Homer to return as the new doctor in the orphanage as Larch fakes all the medical credentials even without Homer's approval.The movie floats through many points and many themes in this story. The movie opens with a slow but interesting orphanage story. When Homer leaves the orphanage, the movie diffuses the attention between him and back at the orphanage. It is still interesting but the movie loses some of the little intensity. The romance lacks a certain heat. I don't think Tobey Maguire is a particularly good romantic lead. The story does have a nice slow burn. It's a fascinating dark poetic feel that keeps pulling back the audience. It takes some dark turns. The movie is based on a novel. Like many of these adaptations, it's a tough thing to squeeze a large book into a much shorter form.

Raul Faust "The Cider House Rules" has been in my wish list for years, and I finally found it on a local store. The movie's get go is made with simplicity and beautiful moments, making you feel like you're on a romantic cruise. The relationship between Homer Wells and Paul Rudd's character is a little awkward, and it feels very strange to see these two actors so young. Photography and overall directing are GREAT all the way through, delivering a nostalgic feeling of peace, mainly due to the simplistic yet complex subject we're given. Other than that, even thought I tend to enjoy dramatic stories that aren't filled with melodramatic situations, sometimes the lack of boldness in this plot frustrated me. I mean, maybe a stronger moment between the doctor and Homer would've made it a lot more memorable. "The Cider House Rules" is, in my opinion, a great movie involving parenting, growing up and letting go, but I understand why it's so unknown for most of the people.