The Cider House Rules

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
The Cider House Rules Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Thought-provoking movie has violence, mature themes.

PG-13 1999 126 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Cider House Rules is a 1999 coming-of-age drama in which a young man leaves the orphanage where he was raised for the first time. It's based on the John Irving novel. The movie is set in an orphanage, and the lead character is trained in obstetrics by the obstetrician and one of the caretakers of the orphanage; set during World War II, the movie doesn't shy away from topics such as abortion, incest, child abuse, and the mental and physical damage from fetal alcohol syndrome. The movie also addresses incest, when it's discovered that one of the lead characters has been sexually abusing his daughter, resulting in her pregnancy. Racism is also shown, including use of the "N" word. Brief nudity, male and female backsides. Sex scene, outdoors, clothed but vocal. One of the lead characters dies of an overdose of ether. Knife fight, stabbing. Suicide. Infrequent profanity: "a--hole," hell," "goddamn."

Community Reviews

Ian F.
Ian F. Adult
October 30, 2019
age 16+

Lushly told coming-of-age story with some complicated themes

The film was adapted by the novel's author and it is interesting to see what was changed from page to screen. The resulting film focuses on Homer Wells, an orphan who leaves "home", gains new experience, falls in love, and finally returns to steward the orphanage as he was groomed to do by his surrogate father, Dr. Wilbur Larch. Of course, complicating the entire story is the fact that Dr. Larch believes in granting women illegal abortions if they desire them and he teaches Homer, who objects morally, the same practices. "You must be of use" he says to his foster son in many lessons along the way. As such the story deals frankly with the question of abortions and there is considerable discussion of them (procedures are not shown but Homer is seen disposing of aborted babies). There is also some mild violence, knives and fists, with some fairly subdued blood. But of course Homer also falls in love and so his relationship with Candy Kendall, the "widowed" girlfriend of WWII pilot Wally (Homer works for Wally' family picking apples), is an aspect of the story. There is a brief scene of the couple having sex outdoors while clothed and a later post-coital scene of Candy fully nude and shot from behind. Coupled with the somewhat subtextual rape and incest of two other characters, the sexual content is not really for the younger set. I wouldn't call anything done in the movie (sex, violence, language) overdone or excessive but it does seem to be just enough all around to earn a viewing for late teens and beyond. 15-16 might be a safe entry point here and it's one to consider because this is an excellent movie that won two deserving Oscars in 1999.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much sex
SallyP
SallyP Adult
November 2, 2015
age 15+

Beautiful film

John Irving is an incredible writer. His stories tug at the heart and his characters are unforgettable. I think it's hard to capture Irving's genius on film, and this is a beautiful adaptation. Because of the film's mature themes involving abortion and incest, it's best for older teen audiences, but there is a lot to prompt meaningful family discussion (if you're into that kind of thing!). The performances of Michael Caine and Tobey Maguire, in particular, are wonderful. Have the Kleenex handy...

This title has:

Great messages
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, based on a John Irving novel, won an Oscar for best screenplay. Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), twice returned by adoptive parents, has become the surrogate son of the head of the orphanage, the benevolent Dr. Larch (Michael Caine). Homer has been trained by Dr. Larch to practice medicine and perform medical procedures, including illegal abortions, which Homer refuses to perform. While Dr. Larch has been grooming Homer to take his place at the orphanage, Homer longs to see the world outside the orphanage. Homer gets a job picking apples, living in barracks with migrant workers led by Mr. Rose (Delroy Lindo). On the wall is a list of rules, but the migrant workers cannot read, and believe that since they didn't write the rules, the rules cannot apply to them. They feel the same way about other kinds of rules.

Is It Any Good?

Rules are the theme of this stirring movie. Many of the characters break rules, from the rules on the wall (against smoking in bed and climbing on the roof) to the laws of the state (abortion, licensing requirements, prohibitions on drug abuse), to rules that most people would consider fundamental principles of morality (prohibitions against dishonesty, betrayal of a friend's trust, incest, and, for some people, abortion). In some cases, viewers will think that breaking the rules was the right thing; in others they will not. Notice that there are rules that characters take seriously, like the rules that Mr. Rose explains to Homer about how to pick apples. One of those rules is to be careful not to pick an apple bud, because then "you're picking two apples, this year's and next year's," a rule which may have a deeper meaning to Homer given his views on abortion.

And compare the way that Candy lets life make decisions for her with a "wait and see" approach to Homer, who makes decisions based on his values, including the importance of having a purpose. They have very different reasons for getting together -- he loves her, but she "just can't be alone."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about rules, how they are developed, when, if ever, breaking rules is justified, and when it's justified, how important it is to be willing to take the consequences. Some characters seem to let life decide things for them, but others take the situation into their own hands, and it's worth discussing how to know when to act.

  • What are some of the major topics this movie addresses?

  • This movie was based on a best-selling John Irving novel. What would be the challenges in adapting a novel into a feature-length film?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: December 10, 1999
  • On DVD or streaming: August 15, 2000
  • Cast: Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Tobey Maguire
  • Director: Lasse Hallstrom
  • Studio: Miramax
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 126 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: mature thematic elements, sexuality, nudity, substance abuse and some violence
  • Last updated: January 26, 2023

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate