The Cider House Story

Just so you know *again* I didn't write that résumé. it comes from Ain't it cool thing, so there. I am not trying to steal anything! ^_^

This film was amazing. It's based on a terrific book by John Irving. Who's John Irving? John Irving wrote THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, THE HOTEL NEWHAMPSHIRE, and A PRAYER FOR OWN MEANY which eventually became SIMON BIRCH. Up to this point, adaptations of Irving books have been so/so. The Hotel New Hampshire with Beau Bridges, Rob Lowe, and Jodie Foster was pretty bad. The World According To Garp with Robin Williams wasn't much better. I liked Simon Birch but Irving didn't. He was outspoken about his dislike for it and had his name removed. Now, finally, Irving has had the chance to adapt his own material. What he has given us is one of the finest films of the year. It's right up there beside The Green Mile. It's that good. I'm guessing it will be sitting up there when Best Picture nominations are announced. In the classic tradition of Charles Dickens, The Cidar House Rules tells the story of the orphan Homer Wells, played marvelously by Tobey Maguire. It is his battle of beliefs with the man who runs this orphanage that is the spine of the film. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine) is this man. He is a doctor and an abortionist. He is also a father figure to Wells and his friend. As Homer grows, Larch teaches him to deliver babies and perform abortions. By the time he is twenty he is a skilled doctor and surgeon. To Larch's dismay, Homer refuses to perform abortions. Several times during the first half of the film we watch Homer carry the remains of aborted fetuses to the incinerator outside of the orphange and we understand his belief. We also understand Larch's. One of the film's most important scenes happens near the beginning. A 12 year old girl comes to the orphanage, close to death. Some back alley abortionist botched her abortion and left half a coat hanger still inside of her. "This is what doing nothing gets you, Homer. It means that someone else is going to do the job-some moron who doesn't know how!" The film is set in the early forties when abortion was outlawed and it is never preachy or heavy handed with its subject matter. This film amazingly balances between pro life and pro choice and ultimately left me with this conclusion: Whether or not abortion is wrong is not the issue. We should have a choice. That's what free will is. The ability to make good and bad decisions. A year ago my girlfriend had an abortion. This was a bad experience for me. I was raised going to church and was convicted by the belief that abortion is murder. This film settled my soul more than I can ever convey. It finally helped me heal and helped me to understand that right or wrong, there has to be that choice. If not then we have hundreds of women with botched abortions being performed by any asshole who will do it. Not doctors, just anyone who's willing to pick up a scapel. I left the theater decidedly pro-choice. Back to the movie... One day, to the orphanage, comes Candy (Charlize Theron) and Wally (Paul Rudd). She needs an abortion and Dr. Larch gives her one. Homer, tired of his life there, hitches a ride with them to start a new life. Wally leaves for war and Homer and Candy fall in love. Meanwhile, Dr. Larch is devastated by Homer's departure. He spent the last twenty years training Homer to replace him, to carry on his legacy, to deliver babies and mothers. And now he's gone. SPOILERS AHEAD... But his departure is the best thing. It is his journey, falling in love with Candy, working on a farm picking apples, and growing as a human being, that makes him realize and embrace his destiny. He spent years running away from abortions and fighting Dr. Larch's wish for him to be a doctor. Where he runs the problem follows. It's here in the cidar house of the title that Homer Wells has his life defining moment and chooses his destiny. Irving creates one of the most beautifully orchestrated third acts of recent memory and an ending that will fill you with sadness and joy simultaneously. Go see this movie. It is amazing and award worthy and a damn fine film.


So there, I hope you enjoyed and that we have convinced you to see it!!

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