In remote St. Cloud, Maine, in the 1940's, there is an orphanage run by Dr. Wilbure Larch (Michael Caine). At this orphanage, there lives many children who reamin unadopted, including one older boy named Homer (Toby Maguire).
Homer has been studying medicine (delivering babies and abortions [which are illegal at the time]) through the guidance of Dr. Larch. It has been Dr. Larch's hope that Homer would one day take over the orphanage. Homer has other ideas.
One day, a young couple (Lt. Wally Worthington [Paul Rudd] and Candy Kendall [Charlize Theron]) come to the orphanage in hopes of getting an abortion. Homer, enticed by the idea of being able to leave the orphanage, asks if Wally and Candy will drive him to the nearest town. They agree.
Through Wally, Homer is able to get a job picking apples, at a cider house.
Dr. Larch, meanwhile, has received word that the board of governors wants to replace him at the orphanage. Dr. Larch knows exactly whom he would like to become his replacement, but only if he could convince him. The person being Homer.
At the cider house, Homer meets an array of people, young and old; some nice, some mean, some cranky. But, when Wally announces that he is going off to war, Homer is left with Candy, and a relationship soon emerges. It is during the time Wally is gone that Homer and Candy discover each other, and where their loyalties truely lie.
Homer is the central character of The Cider House Rules, and the film is basically about his life and the paths that he chooses to take. Dr. Larch is a supporting character, but plays an important role in the film.
The film is all about the cycle of human life... from child to adult. This is evident in the fact that Dr. Larch is old, and his child - Homer, the one he raise from a baby - will one day take his place. the cycle of life always beginning anew, just like the apples in the orchards. Every year they are going to be there. But for how long?
The Cider House Rules also deals with the subject of abortions... is it moral or is it not? There are many points, pro abortion and pro life, but the film does not make a firm stand one way or another. It seems that this will be an age old argument, destined to be argued time and again.
Plot: 
It's a decent plot, and it has touching moments. The film itself doesn't slow, and it never speeds by.
Visual Effects:
There are no visual effects shots to speak of, but the cinematography was amazing, as were the Maine landscapes where the film was shot.
Director Hallström choose many different styles of shots, and choose well in the landscapes.
Sound: 
The score of the film was decent, but there were no actual songs.
Character Development:
Homer goes through a real transformation. In the beginning he wants nothing to do with the orphanage to finally accepting his destiny of opperating the Orphange. Other characters see the error of their ways; Dr. Larch dies, and Wally is crippled.
You can see the different transformations; the truths that are revealed, and the pains that some go through. This aspect of the film was very well done by Director Hallström.
Atmosphere:
Realism:
Based on the book by it's screenplay writer, John Irving, The Cider house Rules, thankfully does not look "hollywoodized" in any sense.
Warren’s Rating:
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
*American Beauty, (1999); The Green Mile, (1999); The Insider, (1999); The Sixth Sense, (1999)
7.14/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
15-12-03
Age at win: 67
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Dr. Wilbur Larch, The Cider house Rules
Nomination: 5/6 (acting), 5/6 (total); Win: 2nd
Michael Caine is a sophisticated british actor, and has played many different types of characters over the years, ranging from Ebenezer Scrooge to Captain Nemo to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
In The Cider House Rules, He plays Dr. Larch, a man who takes charge of abandoned children. He wants nothing more than to see his favourite "son" Homer (Toby Maguire). succeed him in operating the orphanage.
The trouble is, homer doesn't want too.
Dr. Larch's only down falls are that he worries too much about Homer and that he is hooked on ether.
Michael Caine does a good job acting in the ether scenes, especially when he over-doses and dies. Michael Caine's British demeanor adds much to his character.
15-12-03
