1999, PG-13, 131 minutes

Some films make people cry and others make people scared; The Cider House Rules is a film that will leave you with a smile on your face. After the disastrous adaptation of Simon Birch, another John Irving novel, this time he wisely decided to do his own adaptation -- and it certainly shows.

The Cider House Rules is a coming of age story set in the mid 1940's, which follows the life of a young man named Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire). Growing up in an orphanage in St. Cloud, Maine, he was never adopted despite living there throughout his entire adolescence. In his older years, under the guidance of Dr. Larch (Michael Caine), Homer helps deliver babies that will be taken care of by the orphanage and also assists Larch in performing illegal abortions for women in need of help. As time passes on, he meets a beautiful young woman named Candy (Charlize Theron) who comes in for an abortion along with her plane-flying fiancé (Paul Rudd). After the procedure, Homer ends up going with them to a small coastal town where he works as an apple picker. Through a series of events taking place at the Cider House, including a romance with Candy, he finally discovers himself and realizes what he wants to do with his life.

This film doesn't have much action or suspense and it probably won't make you cry, but it's definitely a charming experience. Irving has crafted a story full of characters that are both realistic and well rounded, and while most of the scenes don't have you on the edge of your seat, they're certainly enjoyable. Most coming-of-age stories tend to drag on, but this one kept moving at an appropriate pace. It never dwelled on anything, always introducing new characters or plot points. The settings were beautiful and they also helped director Lasse Hallstrom capture that 40's feeling without relying on period-based music (not to imply that music isn't a powerful aspect of film).

One thing I really appreciated about The Cider House Rules was how it handled the controversial issue of abortion. Yes, abortions are a big part of this movie, but it shows us both sides of the argument without focusing on it any more than necessary. I was glad to see Hallstrom didn't turn this film into a piece of propaganda. It's about a boy turning into a man, not a political issue.

I've never seen Tobey Maguire in one of those teenage flicks and I can see why. His acting skills are clearly superior to most of his competitors of the same age and I wouldn't be surprised to see him holding an Oscar in his hand in the next five to ten years. His performance as Homer is both compelling and believable. The transition he makes from being an insecure kid who turns into a grown man was as good as anyone could've expected. Michael Caine and Delroy Lindo were good as well, both showing us characters with good hearts, but plenty of flaws too. While I expected great performances from the rest of the cast, Charlize Theron really impressed me. I thought she was good in The Devil's Advocate, but with her performance in this film she is starting to prove herself as a top-notch actress, rather than just another pretty face.

People will either find The Cider House Rules to be a charming and enjoyable movie or a boring, action-less drama. Chances are you already know which category you're most likely to fall under and this film will live up to your expectations either way. If you like movies for more than just the plot, The Cider House Rules is for you.