Cool News
Father Geek posts a Brit's look at CIDER HOUSE RULES
Here's a peek at the British premiere of CIDER HOUSE RULES complete with some star gazing thrown in for good measure...
Not often us trans-atlantically challenged english types get to see stuff
before they've been on wide release for ages over there in film-land, and so
old-news. However, using the most sophisticated amphibian spy techniques
known
to man or frog (okay, a phone and a credit card), tickets to the British
premiere of Cider House Rules were procured, courtesy of the London Film
Festival, and I thought you might be interested in my review.
For added fun, Tobey Maguire was present in person at the showing, and went
up
to the stage, clutching his popcorn, to thank us all for coming, very sweet.
Anyway, the review:
This is the fourth film based on a book by John Irving - The World According
to Garp, The Hotel New Hampshire, and Simon Birch, based on A Prayer for
Owen
Meany, being the others. However it's the first time that the screenplay has
been developed by the author himself, which can sometimes be a good thing,
and
sometimes bad.
The story follows the fortunes of Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire), an orphan who
somehow never quite manages to find a home, and so grows up under the
guardianship of Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine), the doctor in charge of the
orphanage, who delivers the babies, and sometimes delivers the would-be
mothers, despite the illegality of abortion at the time. As he approaches
adulthood, Homer meets a young couple that come to the orphanage, and
decides
to go with them when they return home, leaving behind the orphans and his
unofficial medical training, motivated in part by his distaste for abortion,
and also by an attraction to the young woman, Candy (Charlize Theron), and a
desire to see more of the world.
This will be familiar to anyone who has read the book, as the main story is
followed very closely by the film. However, large chunks are necessarily
left
out, to avoid what would have to be a 6 hour film, so if you're waiting for
the condom-dispenser or curried fish balls, you'll be disappointed. Always a
risk with adapting a large densely plotted book for film, but the heart of
the
book is very much still present.
On the surface, this is a very sentimental film, always a danger where cute
little orphans are concerned. This is, however, well balanced with the grim
nature of the themes explored. Abortion is always a hard topic to deal with,
and it would be easy to sensationalise, but this is avoided, which I think
makes the point being made much more effective. You don't have to see the
contents of the containers which Homer is frequently seen taking to the
incinerator to know what's in them. This subtlety seems to have led some
people to believe that abortion is hardly dealt with at all in the film, I'd
suggest those people watch again and pay attention. Even the somewhat tragic
and very touchingly portrayed romance, as Homer falls for Candy, who just
isn't any good at being alone (her husband is off at war), is part of
Homer's coming of age, which in turn is part of how his opinions change,
from
the idealism of youth to a more hardened realism at the harshness of the
world. The final push coming from the plight of Rose Rose (Erykah Badu), the
daughter of Mr Rose (Delroy Lindo), one of the black immigrant
apple-pickers,
with whom Homer shares his lodging in the cider house.
All the main roles are well performed. Tobey Maguire effectively portrays a
young man who mixes almost perfect obstetric procedure with an innocence and
naivity regarding the world at large. Michael Caine is superb (as long as
you
can overlook the times when his accent slips, just slightly), as the
ether-addicted but strongly opinionated Dr Larch, and Charlize Theron gives
Candy the kind of glow which makes it obvious how Homer could fall for
her. This is all complimented by a group of smaller parts which still manage
to be well rounded complex characters. The film looks stunning, has a good
original soundtrack, and is directed by Lasse Hallstrom to just the right
side
of sentimentality. My one criticism would be that there are a couple of
times
when it seems to lose direction a little, and so drags (this is not a
fast-paced film), but those moments don't last long.
As a fan of the book, I'd highly recommend this, as long as you can accept
the
large chunks which are cut out. I'd imagine it's a good film to those that
havn't read the book too.
Jonathan
-
+ Expand All
-
An Evil Dead video game?? What the hell? I suppose it could be fun, but I'm gonna have to convuince my roommate to buy it now, since he's the guy with the system. I hope they do it well. And I think that another Evil Dead movie is actually a pretty good idea, I've loved all of them, including Army of Darkness, you naysaying bastards that I'm sure are going to disagree. . . .Access Hollywood is probably one of the worst entertainment shows o all time, I could care less what they do. . . . Curious George is a very important, very special little guy for many of us, I don't see it translating well onto the screen, but who knows, I suppoose it's for the kiddies anyway. . . . And finally, G. Lucas - what's with the trashtalk, eh? I think he's feeling threatened, like he's the only one that can make a great epic fantasy saga. Kind of lame, but. . .
-
I know in all the interviews, Burton wants to wait until SH is out and done before thinking about the future...BUT I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE WHO *KNOWS* HE MUST DIRECT THE PEE WEE HERMAN STORY!!!! Seriously, it be a great follow up to do something so surreal and funny (as opposed to his mismatched humor in MARS ATTACKS). C'mon- you know you want it!
-
I was at the film premiere of Cider House Rules, and, as well as being sent up to the VIP bar, I saw Tobey Maguire doing an interview. You know, he's very striking in real life. And, anyway, as I entered the auditorium, hoping the film would be good, I noticed a familiar face brushing my shoulder with his. None other than Geoffrey Rush!... The film was very good, and I think Mister Caine should recieve Oscar recognition, if not a nomination. That man was very good, and his accent did not falter!! Tobey and Charlize were very good too - Tobey especially, considering I'd seen him up-close in the bar, then on stage!!!
Very cool indeed! -
silly
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Delayed Nine Months...Thanks To A Force More Sinister Than Cobra!! -- 214 total posts 213 posts
- THE DARK KNIGHT RISES TV Spot Has New Footage And Dialogue! UPDATED To Add Second Spot! -- 160 total posts 160 posts
- Who Is The Voice Of Batman In WB's Animated Two Part THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS? -- 154 total posts 154 posts
- Cats Beware!! An ALF Movie May Soon Come Our Way... -- 148 total posts 147 posts
- UPDATED!!! A Six-Pack Of New Character Posters For THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Forecast A Lot Of Gotham Rain And Snow!! -- 269 total posts 80 posts
- Gary Oldman Joins The ROBOCOP Remake! -- 76 total posts 76 posts
- AICN COMICS REVIEWS: INCREDIBLE HULK! DANGER CLUB! CLiNT 2.1! JAMES BOND! BATMAN INC.! AND MORE!!! -- 67 total posts 67 posts
- Baz's THE GREAT GATSBY explodes with one helluva dazzling trailer! -- 187 total posts 63 posts
- The Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day… the horror… the horror… -- 49 total posts 49 posts
- Zach Galifianakis Is Ignatius J. Reilly? -- 84 total posts 49 posts