Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron and Michael Caine
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have ability to entertain audiences like Michael Caine. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1970’s, Caine has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s bold butlers, strong political leaders or courageous soldiers, Caine has portrayed many powerful characters. Arguably, Caine’s finest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with a limited screen time. Even when he isn’t the main focus of a movie, Caine has always left a lasting impression. By his abilities to portray characters which prove compelling, Caine has created a strong legacy that’s lasting. Despite having reached the age of retirement, Caine has never lost his passion for making strong entertainment. Throughout a strong career, Caine has made countless commemorated movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Caine and adore all the films which he has created in his career. However, “The Cider House Rules” is truly my favourite. Released back in 1999, Lasse Halstrom’s film offered a beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book. Packed with stunning production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best period dramas ever made. At a centre of it all is an excellent performance by Michael Caine, who portray a doctor seeking to plan an orphanage. Ultimately, what makes “The Cider House Rules” a captivating period piece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about the lives of orphans, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a powerful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. A riveting period piece about orphans, there are many strong reasons why “The Cider House Rules” is a movie which is worth seeing.
Set during WWII, “The Cider House Rules” tells a story of a orphan seeking to make his dream come true. Michael Caine plays doctor Wilbur Larch, a wise orphanage director that seeks to care for troubled youth. Dr. Larch is a powerful director that has always had a commitment to taking care of youth which endure resentment. However, Larch’s life changes when he’s given responsibilities to care for the troubled orphan Homer. Homer (Tobey Maguire) is an anxiety-ridden orphan whose life lacks clear direction. Assisted by a team of psychiatrists, Dr. Larch seeks to care for an orphan that is conflicted. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Dr. Larch wonders whether it’s possible for him to overcome disaster. Faced with a threatening dilemma, Larch questions whether it’s possible to raise orphans which experience emotions of trauma.
Lasse Halstrom is a newcomer towards stories of orphans. Before he had directed “The Cider House Rules”, Halstrom had never made a film about orphans before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to demonstrate lives of orphans that face adversity but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Halstrom captures an orphan embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Halstrom expertly uses montages to capture the lives of orphans forming bonds with authority. For instance, montages elevate the orphanage scene. During this memorable scene, Dr. Larch seeks to care for orphans in his troubled facility. Using stunning montages, Halstrom captures hardships that orphans are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” suggested, montages elevate comic-book movies. Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s “Sleuth” suggested that montages enhance whodunit murder mysteries. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through stunning visuals, Halstrom captures tensions that orphans raised in poor homes are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Cider House Rules” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Hallstrom deftly uses production to capture the lives of orphans enduring tension. Throughout the movie, the orphanage home is an essential setting that plays a strong role in capturing hardship that orphans are enduring. For instance, the setting of the orphan home enhances the business meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Dr. Larch has his first business meeting with Homer in his orphanage home. Through using a real-life location of an orphanage home, Hallstrom captures tensions that orphans are facing. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Rachel Portman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing a burden that orphans bear. Through strong production, Hallstrom captures the lives of orphans facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Cider House Rules” is a movie about orphans that’s compelling. The film is very well-written, and effectively uses silence to capture the strong bonds between orphans living in a mental health facility. Throughout the film, Hallstrom uses strong sequences of silence to capture the tensions that orphans experience. For instance, silence elevates the farewell scene. During this emotional scene, Dr. Larch bids emotional farewells to Homer after he is given permission to leave. Through silence, Hallstrom crafts a portrait of orphans that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use. As Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige” demonstrated, silence elevates films about prestigious magicians. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Hallstrom captures orphans facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Michael Caine delivers one of his best career performances as Dr. Larch. Caine first earned praise for playing butlers in comic-book films. With “The Cider House Rules”, however, Caine took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an orphanage doctor seeking to care for children facing adversity but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Caine has often excelled at playing characters under pressure, and “The Cider House Rules” proved his strength as an actor. Through breathtaking expressions, he captures the angst, charisma and wisdom of an orphanage director facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated British actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Michael Caine, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciation. Tobey Maguire is magnificent, bringing compassion to an orphan that grows to admire orphanages which are dire. Charlize Theron is captivating, bringing humanity to a woman that strives to manage an orphanage profession. Last, Delroy Lindo merits recognition. As a troubled patient of a hospital, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Cider House Rules” would achieve appreciation for capturing houses which follow rules. Unlike most movies about troubled lives of orphans, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful themes including identity, mental health and therapy which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the famous book to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Cider House Rules” is one of those rare films about orphans everyone would adore.
Fans of Michael Caine would definitely enjoy “The Cider House Rules” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating period piece, it honours an iconic actor that has built a legacy that’s lasting.
Nearly 30 years after the release of a groundbreaking film about doctors seeking to run an orphanage, it’s a captivating reminder about a British actor that has built a lasting legacy making memorable movies which engage through delivering a strong message.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 