THE CIDER HOUSE RULES
The film is set during World War II, partly in the small town of St.
Cloud's, Maine, home of an orphanage where young, unhappily pregnant women
come to leave their babies for adoption (or, in some cases, receive illegal
abortions), and partly at a seaside apple orchard where migrant workers
return every year to pick fruit and press cider. Homer Wells (Maguire) is
born and abandoned at St. Cloud's, and although a few tries are made at
placing him with a family, it never seems to work out. As he grows, he begins
serving as assistant to the facility's physician, Dr. Wilbur Larch (Caine,
sporting a flawless American accent). Over the years, though never attending
medical school, Homer becomes an excellent obstetrician in Dr. Larch's own
image, except for two differences: Homer Wells is not addicted to ether,
and Homer Wells does not perform abortions.
When a young couple (Theron and Paul Rudd) come to terminate their unwanted
pregnancy, Homer decides to hitch a ride with them and leave St. Cloud's
to seek his fortune. Something about Wally and Candy impresses him, and
he winds up on the orchard owned by Wally's family, picking apples with
a small group of workers headed by Mr. Rose (Delroy Lindo). Among the workers
is the only female, Mr. Rose's daughter Rose Rose (Erykah Badu), whom Candy
is quite fond of, and several others. When Wally is shipped off to the war,
Homer and Candy fall in love, and he soon learns that some rules were made
to be broken.
This is a touching story, well-performed by its cast, accoutered with
beautiful scenery and a lovely musical score by Rachel Portman. The scenes
in the orphanage are especially moving, with supporting performances by
Kieran Culkin and Erik Sullivan as a couple of younger friends on whom Homer
leaves a lasting impression. However, director Hallström seems to have
intentionally slowed the pace after Homer leaves the orphanage. His relationship
with Candy is sweet (pardon the pun), but there is no urgency to their passion,
and therefore her claim not to be "good at being alone" seems
like a weak alibi for her betrayal of Wally. Likewise, Maguire is excellent
at showing Homer's wonderment at experiencing life outside St. Cloud's,
but emotionally he seems rather flat. Even when Homer is at his most spirited
moments, like approaching Mr. Rose about an especially disturbing issue,
or discussing his relationship with Candy after it is learned Wally is coming
home, Maguire is tepid and his energy low.
Despite the sluggish nature of its pace and character relationships, The Cider House Rules is still an excellent film worthy of its recent Oscar nominations. ****½