Cider House Rules

This movie wasn't what I thought it would be. I had heard it was controversial because it talked about abortion and there was some sex and nudity. They were both there but neither dominated the movie. It troubles me that those were the only impressions given to me by friends who had seen it. The abortion argument and the sex scenes served as examples to help make a point. Using controversial or objectionable material often will draw people to interact with it and cause them to think. The danger is that someone is so offended that they cannot get past the example to see the point that the example is trying to demonstrate. This is the trap I believe my friends were caught in. I believe there is some validity to the point being made - that there are rules and expectations placed upon people which are unrealistic because they are made without an understanding or without regard to the circumstances of the people expected to follow them.

There were a few other very thoughtful things along the way that I appreciated. Chiefly, the realization by Homer that to take a "wait and see" attutude was tantamount to letting someone else decide for you.

Apart from the cerebral, there was plenty of other things to like about this movie. The kids in the orphanage were adorable, the relationship between Homer, Dr. Larch and the orphans was touching and the cinematography was well done. I really enjoyed it.