SNMR 2.30: "The Cider House Rules"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "The Cider House Rules" (1999, PG-13, 125 minutes), starring Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd, Kate Nelligan, Kieran Culkin. The film was directed by Lasse Hallstrom.

I had never watched this movie until about four weeks ago, when I watched it for the first time - I borrowed it from the Nashua Public Library. I had wanted to see it for a while, but there was always something better to watch.

From the DVD's dust case:

Honored with two Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actor for Michael Caine and Best Adapted Screenplay for John Irving), The Cider House Rules tells a compelling and heartwarming story about how far a young man must travel to find the place where he truly belongs! Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire - Pleasantville, The Ice Storm, Wonder Boys) has lived nearly his entire life within the walls of St. Cloud's Orphanage in rural Maine. Though groomed by its proprietor, Dr. Larch (Caine), to be his successor. Homer nonetheless feels the need to strike out on his own and experience the world outside. Then, while working at an apple orchard, Homer falls for the beautiful Candy (Charlize Theron - Reindeer Games, The Devil's Advocate) and learns some powerfully indelible lessons about life, love and home! Based on John Irving's best-selling American classic and featuring a sensational all-star cast including Delray Lindo and newcomer Erykah Badu, this entertaining motion picture earned raves from critics and moviegoers everywhere!

From Martin and Porter's DVD & Video Guide 2007, p. 205:

A young man (Tobey Maguire) leaves the orphanage where he grew up, working in an apple orchard, and falling for his best friend's girl while the friend is off fighting in World War II. John Irving's novel becomes a sincere, sagacious film about lessons taught and learned among the forests and orchards of Maine. Irving won a well deserved Oscar for his smooth, intelligent script, as did Michael Caine, equally deserving for his performance as the compassionate doctor who runs the orphanage.

This is a good movie, though not my favorite. I'm glad I was able to watch it without paying for it, though. The story is good and the script was adapted well, but I don't necessarily think it was Oscar worthy (though I don't recall who the other nominees were for best adapted screenplay that year). The cast is good. Tobey Maguire is very underrated as an actor and you can put Charlize Theron in any movie you like and her presence alone will make it better. I'll give this film three out of five stars.