The Cider House Rules (1999)

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers (WGA):

John Irving (novel)
John Irving (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 January 2000 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A story about how far we must travel to find the place where we belong.

Plot:

A compassionate young man, raised in an orphanage and trained to be a doctor there, decides to leave to see the world.

Plot Keywords:

Female Nudity | Adoption | Cigarette | Bronchitis | Sex

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 28 nominations

Cast

Tobey Maguire	...	Homer Wells
Charlize Theron	...	Candy Kendall
Delroy Lindo	...	Arthur Rose
Paul Rudd	...	Lt. Wally Worthington
Michael Caine	...	Dr. Wilbur Larch
Jane Alexander	...	Nurse Edna
Kathy Baker	...	Nurse Angela
Erykah Badu	...	Rose Rose
Kieran Culkin	...	Buster
Kate Nelligan	...	Olive Worthington
Heavy D	...	Peaches
K. Todd Freeman	...	Muddy
Paz de la Huerta	...	Mary Agnes
J.K. Simmons	...	Ray Kendall
Evan Parke	...	Jack (as Evan Dexter Parke)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, sexuality, nudity, substance abuse and some violence.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Taiwan:GP | Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #36692) | South Korea:15 | Iceland:L | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bellows Falls, Vermont, USA

Company:

FilmColony

Trivia:

The idyllic beach scene where Homer (Tobey Maguire) and Candy (Charlize Theron) realize the extent of their relationship was filmed at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park in Maine.

Goofs:

Continuity: As Wally and Candy arrive at the orphanage, Curly can be seen running down the steps to approach their car. He looks as if he's helping to open the door, directly in front of Candy. However in the next shot Curly's seen running in from the left to introduce himself to Candy.

Quotes:

[discussing the legality of performing abortions]
Dr. Wilbur Larch: I know it's against the law. I ask you, what has the law ever done for this place?

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Futurama: The Cyber House Rules (#3.11)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

My Ideal

A Good Movie For A Cold Winter's Day

Despite the various good reviews of the movie, I was a bit skeptical about the movie due to the fact that it was based on a John Irving novel. What I found was a warm, sweet film, that was well cast and proved to be unpredictable just when it appeared you had it figured out. Tobey Maguire gives an excellent performance as a man/boy seeking his place in the world. He is supported by an excellent cast, particularly Michael Caine, despite a number of "accent" lapses. Even though they were relegated to small roles, it was great to see Jane Alexander and Kate Nelligan on the big screen once again. Charlize Theron continues to show that she is not only beautiful, but can act in a wide range of roles as well. Interesting casting as well in using Hip-Hop/R&B artists, Erykah Badu and Heavy D in small, but important parts.

The movie was a wonderful mix of laughter, tears, and human emotion, and magnificently directed by Halle Lasström. Kudos to all those involved.