The Cider House Rules





Starring
Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, Charlize Theron

Rating


Rating within genre


Rated
PG-13 for sexual activity, brief violence, and minimal adult language

Directed by
Lasse Hallstrom

Written by
John Irving

Genre
Drama *independent*

Film
Color; 2 hrs. 6 min.

Date of Release
1999

Filming Location
Brattleboro, VT (USA)
Dummerston, VT (USA)
Bellows Falls, VT (USA)
Northfield, MA (USA)
Northampton, MA (USA)
Maine (USA)

Synopsis
An orphan boy named Homer must choose between getting out into the real world and staying back to help other children with similar pasts. He's got medical abilities of an Ivy League graduate, but leaves to become an apple picker for the family of a young man that came by the clinic one day. When the man leaves for war, Homer gets involved with his girlfriend who also works in the apple orchard....and ends up getting more of a taste of the real world than he'd ever expected.

Summary
There are few movies created that actually make me cry, and 'The Cider House Rules' was one of them. It's a beautifully done film featuring a great cast led by Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, Charlize Theron, and Paul Rudd. All the actors do outstanding jobs, and the musical score is beyond amazing. The storyline is very realistic, taking place a few decades ago, and displays life as it used to be and very much still is.

Actually, I went to camp with the girl that played Mary Agnes. She did pretty good and it's her second film with Paul Rudd. I went out to watch the movie knowing she was in it....and came back in slight shock at how good it really was. There's not much I can really tell you about this film except that if you haven't seen it you absolutely should.

Notable Quotes

"Good night you princes of Maine, you kings of New England." -- Dr. Larch

"Just tell me. I'll do whatever you want to do." -- Homer
"Nothing." -- Candy
"Isn't that like waiting and seeing?" -- Homer
"No. Nothing's nothing." -- Candy

"I've never seen a lobster." -- Homer
"Really?" -- Candy
"I've never seen the ocean either." -- Homer
"You've never seen the ocean?! That's not funny, that's serious!" -- Wally

"The only thing I can teach you is what I know. In every life you've got to be of use." -- Dr. Larch

"I think Mary Agnes could kill someone." -- Buster
"I doubt it. She's just an....emotional girl." -- Homer

"Stop it! No fighting! Share the snowballs!" -- Edna


Reviews


Stygian Films: "This is the most amazing film of the year....and one of the best in a long time."

Flick Filosopher: "Tobey Maguire is rapidly becoming one of my favorite young actors."

eFilmCritic: "Filled with unforgettable images (orphans primping themselves up whenever prospective parents appear; a sad embrace on a deserted beach) and defined by an engaging mood of tolerance and bittersweet positivity, The Cider House Rules is the film adaptation that John Irving fans have been waiting for." Film Journal International: "Michael Caine's magnificent, grizzled presence as Dr. Wilbur Larch is, in a word, electifying.....In the end, it's difficult to leave these characters, hard to let go of their compassionate concern for each other. But, perhaps, if we're lucky, the meaning of their simple story will stick with some of us as we face the vastly more complex moral challanges of a new century and a new millennium."

culturevulture.net: "Hallström has already shown an amazing capability to deliver emotional performances from child actors without a trace of saccharine, and he shines here again with a wonderful rendering of complex, interesting characters in a coming-of-age story."

James Berardinelli: "In a little over two hours, with a strong cast, an accomplished cinematographer, and a well-tuned script, Hallström has fashioned a motion picture of visual splendor and emotional depth. The Cider House Rules defies conventions as it successfully turns back the clock to the wartime years and tells a story that is unique, despite a number of familiar elements. There are many good films available in multiplexes at this time of year, but few offer a more fulfilling experience than the one promised, and delivered, by The Cider House Rules."


Cast List

Tobey Maguire.................Homer Wells
Michael Caine..................Dr. Wilbur Larch
Charlize Theron................Candy Kendall
Paul Rudd........................Wally Worthington
Delroy Lindo....................Mr. Rose
Erykah Badu....................Rose Rose
Kieran Culkin...................Buster
Jane Alexander.................Nurse Edna
Kathy Baker.....................Nurse Angela
Paz De La Huerta.............Mary Agnes
Erik Per Sullivan................Fuzzy
Spencer Diamon...............Curly
Sean Andrew....................Copperfield
John Albano......................Steerforth
Sky McCole-Bartusiak......Hazel
Evan Dexter Parke.............Jack
Heavy D............................Peaches
K. Todd Freeman..............Muddy
Jimmy Flynn......................Vernon


Some rules are meant to be broken.






Also recommended
Pleasantville
A River Runs Through It
Wonder Boys
Boys Don't Cry
Walking Across Egypt


Pictures taken from Yahoo! under "The Cider House Rules
Also see The Cider House Rules Official Site