The Cider House Rules

Main Plot

"The Cider House Rules," directed by Lasse Hallström, follows the life of Homer Wells, an orphan raised in a Maine orphanage run by Dr. Wilbur Larch. Dr. Larch, who performs illegal abortions, trains Homer in obstetrics and abortion procedures. Despite his medical skills, Homer is conflicted about performing abortions. Seeking a different life, he leaves the orphanage and finds work at an apple orchard. There, he encounters new experiences and relationships, which challenge his beliefs and force him to confront his past. The film explores themes of choice, morality, and the search for identity, as Homer ultimately decides where he belongs and what kind of life he wants to lead.

Characters

• Tobey Maguire plays Homer Wells, an orphan trained in medicine by Dr. Larch, who struggles with his own moral beliefs and life choices.
• Charlize Theron plays Candy Kendall, a young woman who forms a romantic relationship with the protagonist, Homer Wells, significantly impacting his life decisions and personal growth.
• Dr. Wilbur Larch, played by Michael Caine, is an orphanage director and abortionist who mentors the protagonist, Homer Wells, in both medical practices and moral dilemmas.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "The Cider House Rules," directed by Lasse Hallström, the protagonist, Homer Wells, returns to the orphanage where he was raised and trained as a doctor by Dr. Wilbur Larch. Throughout the film, Homer struggles with the moral complexities of performing abortions, a practice Dr. Larch engages in to help women in need. After leaving the orphanage to experience life outside, Homer works at an apple orchard and falls in love with Candy Kendall. However, he eventually realizes that his true calling is at the orphanage. Dr. Larch's death creates a void at the orphanage, and Homer decides to take up the mantle, embracing the responsibilities and ethical challenges that come with it. He reads a letter from Dr. Larch, who had always seen Homer as his successor. The film ends with Homer assuming his role as the new director of the orphanage, continuing Dr. Larch's work and providing care for the children. This conclusion underscores themes of duty, belonging, and the acceptance of one's destiny.