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The Cider House Rules
User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22

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  1. HunterC.
    May 12, 2006
    0
    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 0 users said yes
  2. MarcD.
    Apr 3, 2001
    10
    Should have won the Oscar over "American Beauty" in my book. Beautifully-told story. Michael Caine and Tobey Maguire are phenomenal.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. PatC.
    Nov 30, 2006
    6
    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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. MichaelC.
    Feb 3, 2001
    8
    Flawed, but enthrallingly beautiful and stunningly shot with some exceptional performances.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. ToriD.
    May 16, 2002
    9
    A touching story about a guy trying to find himself. It's just a wonderful movie that was well-acted and has a lasting effect.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. YoonC.
    Sep 14, 2003
    7
    Nice movie about a young man finding himself in the world. Raised an orphan, he finds work, falls in love, and abandons his rigid ideals to accept the world with all its warts. Good, above average, but not quite memorable.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. StudentLT
    Mar 21, 2011
    7
    The Cider House Rules the film is a story of Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), a permanent orphan of St. Cloud’s orphanage in Maine. The complementing yet contrasting character Dr. Larch (Michael Caine) has a place in his heart for Homer Wells and thinks of him like a son vs just being a mentor. Dr. Larch is the director of St. Cloud’s orphanage, an obstetrician and a secretly performs abortions but is addicted to ether. Growing up the orphanage Homer Wells is trained by Dr. Larch, he teaches him in obstetrics and abortions although their views about abortion were different. Homer supports Dr. Larch by helping with newborns and the children at the orphanage but he refuses to help with abortions. These decisions or choices to perform or deny abortions define the theme of The Cider House Rules. There are rules set forth in life and society and the choice to follow them or not are decisions of characters in the film. An ironic turn of events gives Homer an opportunity to leave St. Cloud’s orphanage; characters Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron) and Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd) visit St. Cloud for an abortion not adoption. After Dr. Larch performs Candy’s abortion Homer ask Wally to leave with them and ends up working at the Worthington family orchard as an apple picker. Homer is on a team of apple pickers with migrant workers, foreman Mr. Author Rose (Delroy Lindo), Mr. Rose’s daughter Rose Rose (Erykah Badu), Peaches (Heady D), Muddy (K. Todd Freeman) and Jack (Evan Parke) they all form a unique bond. Wally leaves for war and while he is away Homer and Candy have an awkward affair. When the migrant workers return for the summer Homer realizes the relationship between Rose Rose and Mr. Rose is that of incest when a pregnancy is discovered. At this point, Homer decides to perform an abortion for Rose Rose despite his previous moral standing. Mr. Rose is murdered by his daughter because he attempts to sexually abuse her again. Meanwhile, Wally returns from war paralyzed and Homer receives news that Dr. Larch died of an accidental ether overdose. Homer decides to return to St. Cloud’s orphanage and discovers Dr. Larch falsified documents making him a qualified doctor and director of the orphanage. The motif specific to The Cider House Rules is the setting, without the soft and subtle lighting for film would have been just a film but the natural lighting tied in the time mid 1930’s, controversial choices and theme. As a new reviewer of film I can see how the Film Cider House Rules is an Academy Award winning film, I had watch it twice to get the build up behind the movie.… Expand
  8. steins03
    Dec 6, 2011
    10
    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 film had taken place. I defiantly recommend it for viewing.
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    63
    A major disappointment, The Cider House Rules pales by comparison with the gutsier, more full-bodied adaptation of Irving's "The World According to Garp."
  2. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    88
    To adapt it for a 130-minute movie, Irving ruthlessly cut away subplots, eliminated supporting characters and pared down the traits of the ones that remain.
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  3. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    88
    Leaves out portions of John Irving's novel that would have given it more balance and perspective, but the acting by Maguire and Caine is first-rate by any standard.
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