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The Cider House Rules Main Cast:
Director: Lasse Hallstrom Screenwriter: John Irving Rating: 2 Stars - Only if you have nothing better to do. Plot Summary: Set in the early 1940's the film tells the story of St. Cloud's Orphanage in Maine, New England where unwanted babies are delivered and abandoned and where illegal abortions are carried out. The story centres on Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine) and one particular orphan, Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) who because he was never adopted grows up at the orphanage. Dr. Larch treats him as a son and trains him to assist in the deliveries. One day a young woman, Candy Kendell (Charlize Theron) arrrives at the orphanage with her Air force pilot boyfriend, Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd), to have an abortion. When they are leaving Homer decides that it is time to experience the world and goes with them. Review: John Irving adapted his best-selling novel for the screen. The film deals with the problems of unwanted babies, unwanted pregnancies and the argument for the need for abortions. We are introduced to Doctor Wilbert who is the loving father figure to the many boys and girls in the orphanage. He also believes that the choice of having or terminating a pregnancy should be allowed. On the other hand we have Homer Wells who is willing to assist the doctor in the deliveries but not with the abortions. Significantly, it is only when Homer leaves the orphanage to experience the world that he changes his mind and he too believes that in some cases there is a need for abortion. The film clearly supports the pro-abortion argument and is annoyingly transparent in making this point. Leaving the abortion issue aside this film remains dull, slow moving and uneventful. This is an overall forgettable movie. The beginning of the film (set in the orphanage) is the best and most moving. We met the orphans and characters like Fuzzy and Curly are instantly loveable. The best acting in this film comes from the children and otherwise nobody is outstanding and that includes Michael Caine who received an Oscar for his performance. Tobey Maguire often seems expressionless and certainly does not shine in his role. Reviewed by Niall Quinn, PremierMovieReviews |