The Cider House Rules

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.

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...

There should never be nudity in film, especially in a PG-13 film. A man's penis was clearly shown and people need to know this before watching...don't watch it.

This oscar winning story tells the tale of a boy who grew up in an orphanage and is looking for a life with more adventure. He descovers that life is hard and comes to realize that he was ment to be a doctor and live a safe life in the orphanage like his surrogate father. A beautifully told story and main theme.