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Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd, Michael Caine ... see more see more... , Jane Alexander , Kathy Baker , Erykah Badu , Kieran Culkin , Kate Nelligan , Heavy D , K. Todd Freeman , Paz de la Huerta , Erik Per Sullivan , Lonnie Farmer

John Irving scripted this screen adaptation of his 1985 novel. Set during World War II, The Cider House Rules concerns Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), an orphan who spent most of his childhood at the St.... read more read more... Cloud Orphanage in rural Maine, where he grew up under the strong but affectionate care of Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine). Larch has passed along his medical education to Homer, and the young man helps the doctor care for abandoned children and the newborn babies of unwed mothers; however, Homer refuses to assist Larch with the illegal abortions that he performs on the side; Homer has moral objections to abortion, while Larch believes in the rights of the individual and sees it as his duty to keep women in need away from dangerous incompetents. Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd), an air-force pilot, brings his girlfriend Candy (Charlize Theron) to St. Cloud for an abortion, and Homer decides to go with them when they leave, hoping to see the world; however, the three end up going no further than the state line, where Wally's mother (Kate Nelligan) runs an apple orchard and cider mill, and Candy's family traps lobsters. When Wally ships off to battle, Homer grows closer to Candy, and the two fall in love. But their idyllic life at the cider mill is interrupted when Rose Rose (Erykah Badu), a field worker at the orchard, becomes pregnant and her father, cider-house foreman Mr. Rose (Delroy Lindo), turns out to be the father of her unborn child. This news coupled with the death of Dr. Larch, forces Homer to take a long look at both his moral principles and his future. Rapper Heavy D appears in the supporting cast as Peaches. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

75% liked it

50,732 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

110 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 11 min.

Directed by: Lasse Hallström

Release Date: December 10, 1999

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DVD Release Date: August 15, 2000

Stats: 2,029 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,029)

  • moonrivers
    September 26, 2011
    moonrivers
    Engaging story of the complicated relationshop between a father and a son and the orphanage they run. While the very word "orphanage" conjures visions of such mawkish emotionalism that one is prepared to ignor the film outright, the screenplay (an adaptation of his novel) by Irv... read moreing and a sure hand by director (Hallestrom) make this visit to Maine a very worthy expedition.
  • jamers2011
    July 30, 2011
    jamers2011
    Great film! 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, which is hard. The story, cast, emotion, score, acting...it was all right on, especially t... read morehe script and performance by Michael Caine; both of which won Oscars.

    Overall, this is a touching film that I recommend to everyone. Nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, this is one of the best films of the great film year, 1999.
  • DreamExtractor
    April 11, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    A amazing tale. Micheal Caine steals the show, as we have seen from his Oscar win. The plot was amazing, but had some slow parts. The movie itself, is not one of my favorites, but is a very great one though.
  • flixsterman
    July 17, 2010
    flixsterman
    I enjoyed this John Irving adaptation more than I expected to. It's a flawed film but one with substance and heart. Irving is famous for populating his landscapes with unusual, multi-dimensional characters and The Cider House Rules is no exception. An interesting mixtu... read morere of tragedy and triumph.
  • BEACHBUNNI
    April 10, 2010
    BEACHBUNNI
    i loved this movie! a strong cast and a great script in my opinion
  • cosmo313
    August 6, 2009
    cosmo313
    This film features some really good acting, and it has a good story...most of the time. It's a bit flat in places, but still worth a look.
  • thmtsang
    July 11, 2009
    thmtsang
    Homer (Tobey) grows up in an orphanage and is groomed by the doctor (Michael) to be his successor. But Homer has other plans. He wants to see the world and find his own way. He meets a young couple and travels with them to their hometown where he works in an apple orchard. He qui... read moreckly falls for Candy (Charilize). This is like a nice American version of a Charles Dickens' novel. The hero always finds his way. Good cast and a story that will pull your heart strings.
  • jennifxu
    October 15, 2008
    jennifxu
    This movie feels so much longer than it is. I think Lasse Hallstrom wanted to make a sprawling epic but it's so uneven I'm not sure what it's telling me and I don't really care, either. Something about abortion, I think. The ideas are half-baked and in the beginning I had a serio... read moreus, serious crush on Tobey Maguire but I started to get sick of him after seeing him do the same thing for the thousandth time. The orphanage scenes were the most endearing out of all but it kind of went downhill from there. Too many issues, too much useless crap.
  • movieguru12
    June 16, 2008
    movieguru12
    Fantastic,Exellent,
    Faboulous,Romantic Drama,A MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • FiLmCrAzY
    November 29, 2007
    FiLmCrAzY
    i liked thi film very much its heartwarming and interesting to see live in that way
    micheal caine is a doctor who does abortions for people and looks after orphans and re adopts them
    hoer is a boy who i also an orphane but is against abortion but he works with michael caines ... read morecharacter he really wants to see the world and be in the raf but he cant coz he has a heart murmor
    this is a film worth working!!

View All The Cider House Rules Reviews

Critic Reviews

David Rooney
May 30, 2008
David Rooney, Variety

Hallstrom's film could have used more dramatic muscle but is nonetheless a touching, old-fashioned charmer that ultimately satisfies. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Mr. Irving remains a disturbingly facile spinner of yarns in which the most sordid facts of life are glossed over into comfortably didactic homilies about the innate goodness of people. Yet, I was som... Full Review

Bob Graham
June 18, 2002
Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle

[It] is a fable that turns into a 1940s New England variation on Charles Dickens. It is also one dickens of an American movie. Full Review

Glenn Lovell
January 1, 2000
Glenn Lovell, San Jose Mercury News

Deliciously satisfying.

Amy Taubin
January 1, 2000
Amy Taubin, Village Voice

As paternalistic, puffed-up, and dull as a congressional debate about abortion rights. Full Review

Paul Tatara
January 1, 2000
Paul Tatara, CNN.com

The Cider House Rules isn't one film at all. It's two films, only one of which is successful. Full Review

Peter Brunette
January 1, 2000
Peter Brunette, Film.com

Perceived as too soft by some and too weird and kinky by even more.

Lou Lumenick
January 1, 2000
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

The Cider House Rules pales by comparison with the gutsier, more full-bodied adaptation of Irving's The World According to Garp.

Jeff Millar
January 1, 2000
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

A bit too still, and so predictable that some part of me kept saying I had read the book when memory told me I hadn't. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
January 1, 2000
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

The picture moves with a grace and clarity that never wobbles into predictability. And no one in the ensemble of actors ever missteps: There's nothing overdone or overwrought. Full Review

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    • Dr. Wilbur Larch: Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England.
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The Cider House Rules Trivia

  • In what film did Tobey Maguire play an orphan by the name of Homer, who became a doctor even though he was not trained?  Answer »
  • What movie has the following characters in common : "Spiderman", a female coal miner, and "Alfred" ?  Answer »
  • Who played Homer Wells in the movie "The Cider House Rules"?  Answer »
  • This actor, who has starred in such films as The Mighty, She's All That, The Cider House Rules, The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys, Igby Goes Down and both Father of the Bride movies, is also the younger brother of Macauley Culkin.  Answer »
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