August 7, 1990
THE CIDER HOUSE RULES
Screenplay by John Irving, based on his novel
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
In 1939, DR. LARCH is the resident physician at St. Cloud's Orphanage in Maine. Although abortion is against the law, he performs abortions and believes he is ethically correct. HOMER is a young man who has been at the orphanage all of his life and has become emotionally tied to the place. For the past nine years, Dr. Larch has been teaching Homer how to be a doctor, so Homer can replace him when the time comes. Homer is well-loved by the orphans and he bears much grief when a deformed orphan named FUZZY FACE dies as a result of his birth defect. Larch feels confident in Homer's abilities, but needs to test his faith and loyalty. He urges Homer to go away for awhile and then return to work as a doctor. Larch shows Homer how he has falsely documented credentials for Homer when he returns, so his authenticity can never be doubted.
Homer takes off on his bicycle and goes to the coast. He stops and rides a Ferris wheel and learns of a local job picking apples. He arrives at the orchard and is taken in by the blacks who work the orchard under the direction of MR. ROSE, their informal leader who is quick with a knife. Homer is befriended by Rose and his daughter ROSE ROSE. The blacks grow to love and appreciate Homer who reads to them at night. The blacks think the distant Ferris wheel is some kind of spiritual/mystical icon, but Homer tries to get them to see that it is just a man-made device. They don't believe him, but love his stories. Homer uses his earnings to send gifts to Larch and his associates at the orphanage. Meanwhile, Larch manipulates the board of directors to accept Homer (Dr. Wells) as his successor.
Homer falls for Rose, but she pushes him away due to their color differences and something else: Rose confesses to Homer that she is pregnant with her father's child. Mr. Rose explains himself to Homer who arranges for Rose to go to Dr. Larch to get an abortion. But before she can leave, Homer receives a gift package from Larch consisting of a medical kit and surgical equipment. Homer performs the abortion himself. Rose runs away after killing her father. Homer shows the blacks the Ferris wheel up close. They realize it is man-made. Homer goes home to see Larch, but finds him dead of a drug overdose. Homer takes his place as the new physician.
Summary Criticism: This story has a fresh setting and an involving theme, but the plotting is obvious and predictable.
November 5, 1995
THE CIDER HOUSE RULES
Screenplay by John Irving, adapted from his novel
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
Aging DR. WILBUR LARCH runs ST. Cloud's Orphanage in Maine, 1939. NURSE EDNA takes care of the girl's wing including orphans MARY AGNES, HAZEL, and CLARA; NURSE ANGELA cares for the boy's wing including COPPERFIELD, CURLY DAY, FUZZY STONE, STEERFORTH, and BUSTER, a fifteen year old. There is also OLD TED, the cook, MISS TITCOMB, the math tutor, and COLONEL FIELDS, the English teacher. Overworked, secret ether addict Dr. Larch has an unauthorized assistant to help deliver babies and assist with abortions. For the past nine years he has taught former orphan HOMER WELLS to be a doctor. Although not formally educated, Homer is an excellent physician. Buster is adopted by a FARM COUPLE who abuse him. He returns, eager to never be adopted again. A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL comes to the orphanage, a victim of a botched abortion attempt. Larch tries to save her, but she dies. Fuzzy dies and Larch tells the kids he was adopted. When the Board of Trustees comes for a visit, Dr. Larch hides Homer from them. When the Trustees decide that Larch needs a young assistant, Larch fakes diplomas for Homer and submits his application for the job. Meanwhile, Homer has decided he will no longer perform abortions. Larch talks to him about "choice" and "accidents." Furthermore, Homer, who has never left the orphanage, wants to see some of the world.
When a rich couple comes to the orphanage for a secret abortion, Homer gets a ride from them back to Cape Kenneth, a coastal town where Homer meets some local GIRLS and applies for a job at a carnival. His job search leads him to an apple orchard and he gets a job picking apples with black crew boss MR. ROSE. He becomes the first white man to live and work with the blacks at the Cider House who include HERO, PEACHES, RATHER, JACK and MUDDY. Homer quickly develops a crush on Rose's precocious teenage daughter ROSE ROSE. Homer is an excellent apple picker. He gets along with the men, except for the local white racist VERNON, a farm boss. Homer reads to the men, opening new worlds for them. He tries to explain to them that the Ferris wheel is only an amusement ride, but they prefer to believe it is some kind of mechanical monster. Meanwhile, Larch convinces the Trustees to hire Homer who he says is presently working as a missionary doctor in Burma. As a reminder, Larch sends Homer a medical bag filled with tools. At the orchard, Homer is attracted to Rose, but she advises him not to fall in love with her. Homer realizes she is pregnant. Rose tells him that her father impregnated her. Homer gives her an abortion. She knifes her father and runs away. Mr. Rose dies. Homer returns to St. Cloud's to find Dr. Larch has died of an accidental ether overdose. Homer takes over his duties and runs the orphanage.
Summary Criticism: This excellently crafted script presents a topical subject and sympathetic characters in an intriguing storyline.
The Cider House Rules (1999) - imdb
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