Directed by:  Lasse Hallstrom
Written by:  John Irving
Adapted from the novel by:  John Irving
Starring:  Toby Maguire, Micheal Caine, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo, Kathy Baker, Paul Rudd, Erykah Badu
 

August 25, 2000

        Homer Wells grows up in an orphanage in St. Cloud, Maine during World War II.  While he’s never been to school, he’s as talented a doctor as Dr. Wilbur Larch.   Dr. Larch takes Homer under his wing and teaches him everything he knows, including how to perform an abortion.  Although abortion is against the law during this time, Dr. Larch lives pleads, “I know it's against the law. I ask you, what has the law ever done for this place?”  Dr. Larch, dedicating his life to the orphanage, sees everyday how unwanted children are left behind and the effects it has on their lives.  Why bring more children into the world if their quality of life is going to be affected?  This of course is the typical Pro Choice argument. 
         Homer on the other hand, is the typical Pro Lifer.  He asks the question what if his friend Buster, or him, were aborted?  They wouldn’t be sitting there right now.  While he was taught how to do an abortion because Dr. Larch
could “only teach him what he knows,” Homer refuses to do them.  And now we have the set up for John Irving’s Pro Choice agenda masked by his literary storytelling in The Cider House Rules.
         I see nothing wrong with having a political agenda.  John Irving tells a good story here, a coming of age story.  The cinematography is nice, which the setting of course lends a good hand too.  The acting is realistic as well.  Toby Maguire plays Homer with a shy determination.  Michael Caine, who of course won the Academy Award for his performance as Dr. Larch, fits the part of the fatherly
figure/teacher.  The one who’s most impressive though is Erykah Badu in her screen debut.  Most singers don’t make the transition to acting well, but she does here. 
         Whether Irving’s Pro Choice agenda was intended or not, it’s obvious that by the end, The Cider House Rules is meant to change the mind of the most avid Pro Lifer.  The title itself is derived from rules that weren’t meant for the apple pickers, made up by someone from another world in a sense.  This of course is a metaphor for our government, who makes up the rules on abortion; rich white men making the decision for women everywhere. 

         The deleted scenes are very disappointing.  They’re all in a row with no explanation.  The “making of The Cider House Rules” documentary is interesting, but is basically just like an HBO first look.  There are  no cast bios, and unfortunately, I didn’t check out the audio commentary.  It is shown in widescreen though, which is a plus. 

Recommended Alternatives:  The Ice Storm (s: Maguire), A Life Less Ordinary (s: Lindo), Hannah and Her Sisters (s: Caine)

-Reviewed on DVD (also on Video)

Nominated for
4 Fidelio Film Awards