Overview
Homer is an orphan who was never adopted, becoming the favorite of orphanage director Dr. Larch. Dr. Larch imparts his full medical knowledge on Homer, who becomes a skilled, albeit unlicensed, physician. But Homer yearns for a self-chosen life outside the orphanage. What will Homer learn about life and love in the cider house? What of the destiny that Dr. Larch has planned for him?
This is one of those movies where you aren’t sure if the movie is better or worse than you first thought it was. On the surface, it feels like a bit of an epic: we have big-time actors taking place in a sprawling period piece, and there is some heavy material in the the subject matter. But at the same time, the movie still strangely felt rather thin. It does feel extremely old-fashioned and (probably thanks to Maguire’s mannerisms) even somewhat whimsical. As Ebert said about this movie, I wasn’t sure what they were trying to tell us (if anything).
IHATEBadMovies.com reviews The Cider House Rules
Movie title: The Cider House Rules
Movie description: Homer is an orphan who was never adopted, becoming the favorite of orphanage director Dr. Larch. Dr. Larch imparts his full medical knowledge on Homer, who becomes a skilled, albeit unlicensed, physician. But Homer yearns for a self-chosen life outside the orphanage. What will Homer learn about life and love in the cider house? What of the destiny that Dr. Larch has planned for him?
Date published: 2025-09-20
Director(s): Lasse Hallström
Actor(s): Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd, Jane Alexander, Kathy Baker, Erykah Badu, Kieran Culkin, Kate Nelligan, Heavy D, J.K. Simmons, Erik Per Sullivan, Paz de la Huerta, K. Todd Freeman, Evan Parke, Jimmy Flynn, Lonnie Farmer, Spencer Diamond, Skye McCole Bartusiak, Sean Andrew, John Albano, Claire Daly, Colin Irving, Annie Corley, Patrick Donnelly, Edie Schechter, Kasey Berry, Mary Bogue, Victoria Stankiewicz, Christine Stevens, Earle C. Batchelder, Norma Fine, John Irving, Eric Bruno Borgman, Kevin Chapman, John H. Tobin
Genre: Drama
My Review
This is one of those movies where you aren’t sure if the movie is better or worse than you first thought it was. On the surface, it feels like a bit of an epic: we have big-time actors taking place in a sprawling period piece, and there is some heavy material in the the subject matter. But at the same time, the movie still strangely felt rather thin. It does feel extremely old-fashioned and (probably thanks to Maguire’s mannerisms) even somewhat whimsical. As Ebert said about this movie, I wasn’t sure what they were trying to tell us (if anything).
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My Review - 7/10
7/10