Cutting right to the chase, The Cider House Rules is easily one of the best films of 1999. Based on the novel by John Irving (The Hotel New Hampshire, The World According To Garp) and adapted for the screen by the author, this film is a prime example of why I like to go to the movies.

The setting is Maine during World War II and that time and place is beautifully recreated. (It made me want to call my travel agent!) The cinematography by Oliver Stapleton and the original musical score by Rachel Portman are as good as it ever gets and should be remembered at award time.This is the story of Homer Wells, played to perfection by Tobey Maguire (The Ice Storm, Ride With The Devil, Pleasantville), whose life began at an orphanage in Maine. Homer was raised and taught by the orphanage doctor, Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine of Alfie, Hannah And Her Sisters, Sleuth.) Oscar winner Caine has never been better. Dr. Larch believes in helping women "in trouble" and also in taking care of children whose parents can't or won't do so. Through experience in assisting Dr. Larch, Homer becomes a skilled surgeon even though he never even attended high school. He avoids abortions, however, probably because he realizes how easily his own mother could have made that decision regarding him. Thus, both sides of the highly controversial issue are suggested here.

Things change for St. Cloud's orphanage when a young couple arrive for Dr. Larch's help. They are Candy (Charlize Theron - Mighty Joe Young) and Wally (Paul Rudd - The Object Of My Affection). When they leave the orphanage, Homer goes with them to the orchard owned by fighter pilot Wally's family. It is here that Homer learns about life in the outside world and encounters Delroy Lindo and Erykah Badu as migrant workers. When Wally must return to war, Homer and Candy become much closer... This couple's relationship and their interactions with each other and with the orchard workers are the center of the story.

The major theme of the film concerns finding one's place and purpose in the world. Director Lasse Hallstrom (My Life As A Dog, Something To Talk About, What's Eating Gilbert Grape?) is an inspired choice for this material. In addition to the cast mentioned and praised above, add Jane Alexander, Kathy Baker, and Kate Nelligan. No less deserving of praise in their performances as orphans are Kieran Culkin, Paz de la Huerta, Spencer Diamond, and Erik Sullivan. Clearly, it takes a wonderful director to get uniformly stellar work from an entire cast of this size.

After reading to the orphanage boys at bedtime each night, Dr. Larch would say: "Goodnight, you Princes of Maine! You Kings of New England!" When a newcomer asked why he says that, he was told that Larch says it because we like it. So do I!

In his very favorable review, GOOD MORNING, AMERICA's Joel Siegel mentioned that before he saw the movie, he didn't know whether the word "rules" was a verb or a noun as used in the title. As far as I'm concerned, it works as either and both. The Cider House Rules as a film truly RULES!

Wayne Case works in the film industry in Hollywood, and still can't help himself - he loves the movies!

Got a problem? Email Wayne at filmmonthly@hotmail.com