When a movie version of a story or novel goes awry, the author of the work can always blame the filmmakers — and most especially, the screenwriter.
That is, unless the author handles the adaptation himself, which is the case with "The Cider House Rules," a so-so World War II period drama taken from John Irving's provocative best-seller.
Understandably feeling a bit burned by previous Hollywood versions of his book (which include the so-sappy-it-hurt "Simon Birch" and the much, much worse "The Hotel New Hampshire"), Irving decided to take matters into his own hands.
Unfortunately, he and director Lasse Hallstrom ("What's Eating Gilbert Grape?") can't possibly cram 600-plus pages of material into a little more than two hours, so the film cuts too many dramatic corners and skimps on characterization (some of which is replaced with maudlin sentiment).
The effect is a muddle that lacks the beauty and almost Dickensian depth of the source. That isn't to say that the big-screen "Cider House Rules" is a bad film, but considering how good the book is, it's definitely a disappointment.
One area where the movie isn't lacking is in its cast. Leading a fine ensemble is Tobey Maguire, who stars as orphan Homer Wells.
Growing up in the St. Cloud's Orphanage, Homer is taught to be "of use" by Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine), the unconventional orphanage director who performs abortions and who is addicted to anesthetics.
The aging Dr. Larch is clearly grooming Homer to be his successor, but seeking a taste of the world outside the orphanage, the teen instead decides to run off with Wally Worthington (Paul Rudd) and Candy Kendall (Charlize Theron), a young couple at St. Cloud's for an abortion.
Finding work at the Worthington family orchard, Homer befriends his fellow apple-pickers, including Mr. Rose (Delroy Lindo), the crew chief with a terrible secret. Homer also begins to grow closer to Candy, especially when Wally is shipped off to the war as a pilot.
Meanwhile, back at St. Cloud's, Dr. Larch has come under fire from the orphanage's new board of directors. But, feeling abandoned by Homer, he is reluctant to ask for help from his surrogate son.
Many scenes in the film have problems, but that latter story line is where it really stumbles. Much of the problem has to do with the fact that Irving and Hallstrom center most of the film's second half on the Homer-Candy romance, which works in the book but not on the screen.
It doesn't help that Maguire and Theron really don't generate much heat together, though their performances apart from each other are fine.
Both pale in comparison, though, to Caine, who brings the film to life every time he's on-screen. But since his character is basically forgotten until nearly the end of the movie, he can't help save it from its own worst tendencies.
"The Cider House Rules" is rated PG-13 for simulated drug use (ether, used recreationally), a violent knife fight, simulated sex, female and male nudity, gore (mostly medical in nature), scattered profanities and use of some racial epithets.