The Cider House Rules

Name: The Cider House Rules
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: December 10, 1999
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Tobey Maguire

1999

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 112 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 112 Ratings

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The Cider House Rules

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: December 10, 1999 | PG-13

Starring: Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Tobey Maguire

Summary: This is the story of a compassionate young man (Maguire), raised in an orphanage and trained to be a doctor by the abortionist (Caine) who runs the orphanage.

Director: Lasse Hallstrom

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 126 min

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

David Kehr

Impeccably crafted and utterly impersonal, Lasse Hallstrom's adaptation of John Irving's novel has many of the qualities Oscar is known to appreciate. Read full review

Jay Carr

It's filled with vivid characters and action. Beneath its modesty of gesture, it's one of the year's richest, most humane films. Read full review

William Arnold

Many will find the subject matter disturbing, but it's clearly one of the holiday season's richest and most daring movie entries. Read full review

Mr. Showbiz Richard T. Jameson

Hallström, a past master at cockeyed coming-of-age chronicles ("My Life as a Dog," "What's Eating Gilbert Grape"), has a near-genius for unpatronizing tolerance, and for seeing beauty in the world and nature and seasons without turning them into postcards.

Bob Graham

Has that Dickensian spirit wherein simple acts of kindness can bring an audience close to tears. Read full review

Ernest Hardy

It's Tobey Maguire, doing fine, subtle work, who holds it all together -- he puts a human touch to what is otherwise expertly wrought hokum. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Feels like the shell of a wonderful story.

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User Reviews

steins03

Dec 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 film had taken place. I defiantly recommend it for viewing.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Compi24

Nov 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

The3AcademySins

Mar 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, top notch performances, and a soul that a lot of moviesA 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

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

StudentLT

Mar 21, 2011

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

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ahmedaiman1999

Apr 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 even strangely disturbing, especially given the sentimentalWhile 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 0 users found this helpful00

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 majorly wrong with this film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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, he's cursing and scolding Homer over 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

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31	#31 Best Movie of 1999
64	#64 Most Discussed Movie of 1999
42	#42 Most Shared Movie of 1999