Rating: 
Summary: Just a Good Film
Review: I heard all about how this film was too long, or boring, or slow, but I found it to quite good. I didn't think it was too long, in fact, I think the only problem with it was that it should have been longer to connect more of the scenes to one another. But still, an excellent movie that defies any single genre except that of real life. Enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Blown Away by the brilliance of this film
Review: As a John Irving fan, I would have to say that all other attempts at crossing over from books to bigscreen have failed. The Cider House Rules is the exception. Although many will argue to say that Garp was successful, I think this movie stays a lot truer to the book. I think in the future if more Irving books are to be made into films, the screenplays had best be left to John Irving Himself. It displays an extroidinary performance by Michael Caine, and an equally amazing performance by Tobey Maguire as Homer. The bottom Line: Worth a look
Rating: 
Summary: Lobsters, apples and abortions
Review: Well acted and interesting story centered around New England orphanage. Toby Maguire plays orphan/physician's assistant to Michael Caine's gruff but loveable doctor/abortionist. Although essentially a subtle paen to the abortion culture, the movie is redeemed *somewhat* by its interesting characterizations, beautiful cinematography and fine acting by the principals. The pro-abortion innuendoes are all too apparent to students of this violence. Yet in a curious and inexplicable lapse, the producers fail to justify their "safe abortions" premise--virtually all of those involved in the crime meet unhappy fates! Still, a good film if one knows how to objectify these things.
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Summary: Can you be world-wise & naive at the same time?
Review: Yes, if you are a young man raised in an orphanage and taught to be a doctor (unofficially). Homer sees the results of the world - unwanted children, unwanted pregnancies and illegal (but safe) abortions - but has no real experiences of his own.Finally, Homer leaves the orphanage to experience life and finds out that things he thought were black-and-white really are various shades of gray. This movie does a good job at portraying innocence running full-speed into reality while not sacrificing that innocence on the altar of cold, hard facts. Michael Caine is fabulous in this, as are Tobey Maguire and Charlize Theron. They bring their characters to life with a gentle believability that endears them to the audience. There are some tough issues addressed in the movie, such as abortion, incest, and racial tension, but the overall feeling is of hope and compassion, not despair.
Rating:
Summary: How did I miss this?
Review: I am not sure how I missed this fine movie; perhaps because I was not enthralled with John Irvings first novel and the film adaption that followed, and overlooked Irvings books and films since. I checked out Cider House Rules because Michael Caine was in it. Michael Caine gives a great performance and the step-back-from-the-action style of acting of Toby McGuire was appropriate for this film. On the surface the film seems to be about abortion but in actuallity it is about choices. Michael Caine is the doctor at an orphanage and performs abortions for young ladies in distress. Toby McGuire is an orphan and the doctor's student. A student who does not agree with the teacher's choice to do these abortions. Of course, he will come to a turning point later when he must make a decision that he does not want to make. More than being a film about uncomfortable choices it is a film about human growth (Toby McGuire) and human frailties (Delroy Lindo). When a apparent decent person cannot rise above his weaknesses and be a responsible civilized being - there lies a story. Delroy Lindo plays his part so well that even when he does something so terrible you could not possibly forgive him, you still feel bad for him. The film takes place during the early stages of the second world war when the depression years are still heavy on everyone's mind. The time period is well done in the actions and the faces of the people. If you appeciate a fine cast and enjoy a film that presents you with questions and doesn't always answer them, then this film is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: For young and for old!
Review: Well, although when I watched the movie I was but 14 yaers old,( I am now 16). I can say that I liked it! I know that you must be thinking "what? this is a wierd kid", but the truth is that I have always had a certain inclination towards this kind of movie, and although i think that the book is much better, i think that the movie lives up to it enough for me to have enjoyed it. I always like the issue, both in the book and movie, and the superb acting in the movie makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. I recomend this movie to anyone who thinks they have enogh maturity to understand it and to take it seriousley, as did i. This goes for grown ups and youg people alike. thank you!
Rating:
Summary: Touching Story Of 1940s New England 'Women's Doctor'
Review: Pre-Spider Man Tobey Maguire is convincing as young protege of rural New England 'abortion doctor' in the 1940s. Officially operating an orphanage, young women 'in trouble' could also get 'other' help. Progressive in his views and convictions, the doctor (superbly played by Oscar Winner Michael Caine) gave them what they wanted, all the while caring for the many unwanted children born to women without means or circumstance to keep them after giving birth. This film is a charming piece of un-discussed Americana. A refreshing gem. Highly recommended!*****
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: For a week, I simply could not put the novel The Cider House Rules down. It was by far the best book I have ever read, and there's no shortage of competition in that category. However, I was so engrossed by the book that the day I finished it I went out and rented the movie. I was greatly disappointed. The movie was slow and dull...reading the book, you can't help but fall in love with Homer , Candy, Wally, even Melony and ESPECIALLY Angel, who, although he appeared only at the end, was the character whose existence made the book as heartwrenching as it was. In the movie, Wally was only there for 5 minutes, Homer was made out to be a whiny brat, Candy was needy and an altogether unlikable character, and Melony and Angel weren't even there! The plot was also unclear in the movie....if I had not read the book first, I am quite sure I would have had no idea what was supposed to be going on. I fail to understand how this movie is regarded as highly as it is. I suppose it is one of those things you can only enjoy if you dont know there is something better out there...which is to say, the novel which the movie is based VERY LOOSELY upon.
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Summary: boring and pointless
Review: i thought this film was not only not good, but definitely not oscar-nominated worthy. it was boring, simply boring. it did not draw me in to like the characters. i didnt really care what happened to them. Flash Gordon was a better movie than this one.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful film!
Review: I had to watch this movie twice just to absorb it. Micheal Caine, Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Kathy Baker and the rest of the cast is flawless. The children from the orphanage break your heart, especially little Fuzzy. If you want to see a good old-fashioned drama, this is the one!!! It's sad and uplifting at the same time...definetly worthwhile.
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