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The Cider House Rules

Play trailer Poster for The Cider House Rules PG-13 1999 2h 6m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
72% Tomatometer 109 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
The film follows the life of Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), a precocious orphan who leaves his lifelong home and his loving tutor, Dr. Larch (Michael Caine) to explore the world. While Homer struggles to make a life for himself on his own, he must make monumental decisions that will change the course of his future and deeply affect the lives of those around him.
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The Cider House Rules

The Cider House Rules

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Critics Consensus

The Cider House Rules derives affecting drama from wonderful performances, lovely visuals, and an old-fashioned feel.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/28/2010
3/5
Thought-provoking movie for teens and up. Go to Full Review David Rooney Variety 05/30/2008
Hallstrom's film could have used more dramatic muscle but is nonetheless a touching, old-fashioned charmer that ultimately satisfies. Go to Full Review Andrew Sarris Observer 04/27/2007
Mr. Irving remains a disturbingly facile spinner of yarns in which the most sordid facts of life are glossed over into comfortably didactic homilies about the innate goodness of people. Yet, I was somehow moved... Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) 07/05/2018
3.5/5
While Rudd has rarely delved into the sincerely dramatic, he acquits himself well in a key role in this unorthodox weepie. Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault 07/30/2007
B
Irving's clean, economical dialogue and Hallstrom's beautifully morose direction cut the fat off of the cliches. Go to Full Review Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound 07/14/2007
3/4
A bouillabaisse of all the best soap opera elements - orphans, abortion, debilitating injuries and, of course, death. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Forrest M @RT32281296 Jun 23 "The Cider House Rules" is a pro-abortion movie that tells a story an orphanage ran by a doctor that was taken over by the doctor-trained orphan. It dwells on abortion but it fails to deal with the complex issue with clarity as it presents the moral ambiguity behind it pushing lack of education and women seeing the fetus and doctors seeing orphans as a nuisance towards society. It was an overrated pro-abortion movie that was far from a classic. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Mar 1 Success in 2 hours and 6 minutes. The 2000 winner of Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Michael Caine). See more Jerod S @jeroduptown Feb 15 Don't know that I'd call it touching as much as a prochoice narrative handled without a lot of depth. See more Reza T @Reza133 Dec 25 The story was great and touching, the performances were amazing, and the visuals were stunning! See more Landon J @Minxsykitty 04/12/2025 Toby fans will again recognize an excellent casting for this mc. Deals with some important and heavy topics, rather adeptly. It's only flaw I think is it's runtime. Points for genuine-ness, acting, and atmosphere. Disclaimer, this is certainly not a "happy" movie. See more HMF B @RT83358023 02/25/2025 A beautifully filmed movie with some budding great actors and the touching stories of the various characters. Michael Caine passing on his acting chops to the young cast of Toby McGuire, Paul Rudd, Charlise and Kieran Culkin who does not know yet he will win many awards. See more Read all reviews
The Cider House Rules

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Cast & Crew

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Lasse Hallström

Director

Tobey Maguire

Homer Wells

Charlize Theron

Candy Kendall

Delroy Lindo

Mr. Rose

Paul Rudd

Wally Worthington

Michael Caine

Dr. Wilbur Larch

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The Cider House Rules

The Cider House Rules (1999) The Cider House Rules (1999) The Cider House Rules (1999) The Cider House Rules (1999) Tobey Maguire as Homer Wells in Miramax's The Cider House Rules Tobey Maguire as Homer Wells in Miramax's The Cider House Rules Michael Caine as Dr. Wilbur Larch in Miramax's The Cider House Rules Erykah Badu and Charlize Theron in Miramax's The Cider House Rules Charlize Theron and Tobey Maguire in Miramax's The Cider House Rules Tobey Maguire and Charlize Theron in Miramax's The Cider House Rules View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The film follows the life of Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), a precocious orphan who leaves his lifelong home and his loving tutor, Dr. Larch (Michael Caine) to explore the world. While Homer struggles to make a life for himself on his own, he must make monumental decisions that will change the course of his future and deeply affect the lives of those around him.
Director
Lasse Hallström
Producer
Richard N. Gladstein
Screenwriter
John Irving, John Irving
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Film Colony, Miramax Films
Rating
PG-13 (Nudity|Mature Themes|Sexuality|Substance Abuse|Violence)
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 7, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$57.5M
Runtime
2h 6m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)