by Yazmin Ghonaim

THE CIDER HOUSE RULES Lasse Hallstrom (1999) The Cider House Rules, directed by Lasse Hallstrom and based on the novel (as well as written for the screen) by John Irving, explores the world of Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine), the director, obstetrician and abortionist of St. Cloud's orphanage. With more women visiting the orphanage to have abortions or to abandon their babies than to adopt one of the many children available, The Cider House Rules --set in the early 1940s-- comments on the problems of undesired pregnancies, the need for abortions, and the great responsibility of parenting. Although Wilbur develops a strong paternal bond with all of the children, The Cider House Rules examines his special dedication toward Homer Wells, a baby boy who, after proving to be "un-adoptable", remains under his tutelage. Throughout the years, Homer (Tobey Maguire) learns about the philosophy behind Wilbur's profession, while resisting the idea of adopting the same. The plot evolves as Homer leaves Wilbur and the orphanage, finds employment in a cider-producing plant, and a new home in the Cider House. Here Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron), fiancée of the Cider House owner's son, and a pregnant "Rose Rose" (Erykah Badu) force Homer to revisit the philosophies of the distant Dr. Larch. Aside from the good humor and the delicate sympathy with which The Cider House Rules portrays its characters and their situations, the film delivers reasonable pro-choice arguments, which state that: 1) "in order to allow the opportunity of being a good parent, the choice of being parents to begin with should be allowed as well"; and 2) "If those who are qualified don't perform the abortion, others will". Most importantly, The Cider House Rules is successful in supporting these arguments by approaching --subtly, yet sensibly-- the dilemmas which envelope the issues. In this same careful manner, The Cider House Rules interweaves meaningful relationships among its characters and adds optimism to all resolutions.		DVD Music Books Search by keywords:
Outstanding Features: Story, Acting The Cider House Rules Movie Review © 1999 Cinephiles - All rights reserved. Photo © 1999 Miramax Films