So many ethical and philosophical issues wove and twisted themselves through the characters and plot in such an intricate way that my head hurt after watching the movie. This was a gritty portrayal of a hidden but real part of our past Americana, and in some ways of today as well. The whole issue of "what rules are for whom" and "what rules do you choose to govern yourself" was deeply thought-provoking. A feeling of isolation pervading various characters despite being with others was also intriguing. And it seemed that it was within each character's own isolation that the question of rules was to be asked and decided. (My head is beginning to hurt again.) In many ways, this was a great movie, but not something to watch after coming home after a tough day at the office.
Review of The Cider House Rules
