| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
N/A |
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Gives you a good taste of cider
by Adam (movies profile)
May 18, 2008
14
of
16 people found this review helpful
If you saw The Cider House Rules and thought it was boring, then you don't know jack about great drama movies. The powerful critic Roger Ebert gave this film two stars because it makes lots of noise about abortion, but I just ignore all that and watch the movie, just like what Charlize Theron says to Tobey McGuire in this film(I'll explain that later).
Homer Wells is a young man whom was abandoned by his ungrateful parents when he was born. His name was not given to him by his parents, but by Dr. Wilbur Larch(Michael Caine) who raised Homer at St. Clouds Orphanage, a place where Homer is adored, the kids wait to be adopted, and every night before they go to sleep Dr. Larch says: "Good night you princes of Maine, you kings of New England." This is definately the most famous quote of the movie, especially because it is performed by Michael Caine, who also won an Oscar for this fabulous role.
Dr. Larch taught Homer everything he knew about medicine. But Homer has seen enough of women who want abortions and couples who don't want their children. So Homer announces that he will be leaving the orphanage to see what life outside is like. The children don't want him to leave, and Dr. Larch still thinks that he's too young, but Homer knows he must find something else in his life. He leaves with a man named Wally and his girlfriend Candy(Charlize Theron) who arrived at the orphanage for a medical operation on Candy. Their trip takes them to an apple orchard taken care of by African Americans headed by Mr. Rose(Delroy Lindo). Homer doesn't know what awaits in his future, but for now he decides to work in the orchard. But when Wally leaves for war, Homer falls in love with Candy, and Mr. Rose's daughter Rose becomes pregnant becuase of a man whom I will not reveal.
The movie gets its name by a set of rules on the wall of the cider house by the orchard. The African Americans can't read them so Homer reads them for them. The rules are all rules that the African Americans refuse to follow, but Homer continues to read them. The movie has a sad and happy ending.
The Cider House rules packs great performances from Tobey McGuire as Homer, Charlize Theron as Candy, Delroy Lindo as Mr. Rose, and Michael Caine as Dr. Larch. I really believe that this movie deserved the Best Picture Award of 1999, even though I haven't seen American Beauty(which won).
When I was talking about how you should ignore the abortion factor and just watch the movie, it kind of compares with a scene in the movie.When Homer and Candy are at a closed Drive In, Homer is talking about how he loves movies so much(even though he's only seen King Kong). But Candy tells him that you're not really supposed to pay attention to the movie, but to the person beside you...
Any drama film fan will love this movie. The Cider House Rules gives you a good taste of cider. So come on Ebert, you should love it too! |
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