The Cider House Rules

Miramax Films | Release Date: December 10, 1999

8.5	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 127 Ratings

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User Reviews

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The3AcademySinsMar 25, 2019

A beautiful coming of age story and and period-piece, The Cider House Rules is all at once delightful, horrifying, romantic, and epic. This is a great 1990s film with a charming and tactful script, incredibly evocative cinematography, topA beautiful coming of age story and and period-piece, The Cider House Rules is all at once delightful, horrifying, romantic, and epic. This is a great 1990s film with a charming and tactful script, incredibly evocative cinematography, top notch performances, and a soul that a lot of movies lack. This has aged almost perfectly, and is a must-see for fans of period drama.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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Compi24Nov 28, 2012

Hallstrom has succeeded in adapting John Irving's novel into an incredibly refreshing period piece. With very touching performances from Maguire, Caine, and Theron, "The Cider House Rules" effectively portrays Irving's delightful coming-of-age tale.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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StudentLTMar 21, 2011

The Cider House Rules the film is a story of Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), a permanent orphan of St. Cloudâ

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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steins03Dec 6, 2011

I think that is was a great film, and the lighting helped in setting the mood in the film. The soft lighting showed a calm and relaxed environment at the orphanage. The costumes of the characters helped to set the time frame that the filmI think that is was a great film, and the lighting helped in setting the mood in the film. The soft lighting showed a calm and relaxed environment at the orphanage. The costumes of the characters helped to set the time frame that the film had taken place. I defiantly recommend it for viewing.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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HunterC.May 12, 2006

I do nominate Dr. Larch as being one of the most hypocritical characters in the history of American literture and film. One minute, he is caring and compassionate towards orphan children to the point that you want to cry. The next minute, I do nominate Dr. Larch as being one of the most hypocritical characters in the history of American literture and film. One minute, he is caring and compassionate towards orphan children to the point that you want to cry. The next minute, he's cursing and scolding Homer over Homer's original disapproval of abortions. Either make Dr. Larch a caring man that truly loves children, or make him an evil man that hates children. The way this story is told, Larch is hypocritical. I'm surprised that Larch didn't stop women from having abortions the way he treated the kids in the orphanage. At the same time, I'm surprised Larch didn't lock all the orphan kids in their room and start a fire to kill them all the way he killed unborn babies. I have more respect for Hitler than Dr. Larch. At least Hitler knew who he didn't like (even though it was unjust and evil). Dr. Larch is just a big hypocrite.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful

ScraperMar 25, 2016

Homer Wells is one of the most boring characters I've seen in quite some time. Like mega boring. To the point where his blank expression, small, peach-like face, and ineffectual dialogue began making me madder and madder as the movie went on.Homer Wells is one of the most boring characters I've seen in quite some time. Like mega boring. To the point where his blank expression, small, peach-like face, and ineffectual dialogue began making me madder and madder as the movie went on. So you can see why I thought it was completely over the moon that the hottest girl in the universe leaves the world's sexiest man for him.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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ahmedaiman1999Apr 7, 2020

While I get the moral of the story and I think the protagonist's character narrative arc ـــ besides that I was invested in it as a whole ـــ do the moral justice, the touchy themes that are tackled here feel utterly awkward and evenWhile I get the moral of the story and I think the protagonist's character narrative arc ـــ besides that I was invested in it as a whole ـــ do the moral justice, the touchy themes that are tackled here feel utterly awkward and even strangely disturbing, especially given the sentimental tone the film approaches its story with. That overall resulted in a film that there's no right demography for. I wonder whether John Irving's novel itself is muddled like this or is it the screenplay, also written John Irving, intentionally glossed over said themes in order to match Hallström's sweet-natured direction, which I have no problem with to be clear. One last issue I have, I think the first 15-20 minutes are slightly overly-expository, unfocused and jumpy, and therefore it took me a while to be invested in the story.

However, I think I liked it a little. I was quite invested in the character of Homer Wells as I mentioned but other than that, I think all all the performances are great: Paul Rudd really surprised me in this dramatic role; Michael Caine is great as ever even if I still believe Tom Cruise deserved the Oscar for best supporting role in Magnolia more than him; Charlize Theron really brought her character to life; and Tobey Maguire delivered one of his best performances to say the least. Moreover, I was somewhat moved by the many storylines that concern the orphanage. (6.5/10)… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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PatC.Nov 30, 2006

A "Summer of 42" for intellectuals. Tedious in some spots, too polished in others, and upon reflection smacks of an insidious agenda glorifying situational ethics. Oh, and not one character is completely developed. Other than that, nothing A "Summer of 42" for intellectuals. Tedious in some spots, too polished in others, and upon reflection smacks of an insidious agenda glorifying situational ethics. Oh, and not one character is completely developed. Other than that, nothing majorly wrong with this film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

amheretojudgeMay 19, 2019

If Maguire is a teenager, then Caine is his father, watch this relationship go up and down, and swing by gleefully being a carefree kid, once again.

The Cider House Rules Hallstrom is a funny man when it comes to shine the humor on a mellowIf Maguire is a teenager, then Caine is his father, watch this relationship go up and down, and swing by gleefully being a carefree kid, once again.

The Cider House Rules

Hallstrom is a funny man when it comes to shine the humor on a mellow drama as such. With introducing characters smoothly as installing jokes in sensitive situations, the director, Lasse Hallstrom has perfectly timed the tracks of each character syncing in one melodious and also ironically chaotic room. And boy how sketchy it looks and how sitcom-y it feels. You'll be giddy up for this whimsical world rooting each perspective wishing them to be successful just to see how far do they push the boundary to tone the temperature to their preferences. I am drawn to this light-footed world because I grew up watching them (it defines the 90s at best) with my brother in a lazy Sunday morning, I may not be an unbiased judge, but it surely is thoroughly engaging and entertaining.

What makes this script complete above all, is equal contribution of the characters in the final product. They come in with a new lexicon, fresh beat and originality in their opinions, they ought to stand alone, even the sinister ones, if thought about it, there is something sparkly about them; wrong definitely. Tobey Maguire proves it was a perfect casting, from being childish to a smart cookie- at least in his own field- he is the dream protagonist to such a rom-com.

Charlize Theron is the most misleading person in the film, admittedly she is successively on the wrong track, bridging the equation with a balanced natural view. But to me, this will always be Michael Caine's film. He mourns, he guides, he mocks and he comforts. His eyes gazes into an object and it somehow comes alive, so beautiful is his language and so picturesque his notes to these so called adolescent beings- the letter are some of the best part of the film- that you feel you learned something new, outside The Cider House Rules.… Expand