The Cider House Rules

Seven Nominations and two wins. I don't always agree with who gets an Oscar, and this is one of those cases. This movie deserves more. This movie is on my top-20 list.

Michael Caine carried this movie. With a cast of much younger, but no less talented, actors, his solid performance won Best Supporting Actor and wove their work together. His importance to this movie is similar to the fictional orphanage in the story.

Tobey Maquire (Pleasantville, Spiderman series, and Seabiscuit) is the main character and represents all the character evolution as he should. His work here shows a wider range than some of his other work, and he is totally believable.

The other main character in the story is Maquire's character's love interest. Charlize Theron (That Thing You Do, Sweet November, and In the Valley of Elah) plays one of her more loveable roles here. So many of her characters are off-the-charts rough around the edges to say the least.

Most of us did not grow up in an orphanage. This story will help us better appreciate what we had no many how bad we felt we had it. Watching this movie may motivate you to go out and adopt someone. Fair warning.

Another warning is in order. More than one abortion occurs during this movie. Not on screen mind you, but you know what happening when it happens. And a healthy debate ensues between the main male characters.

If you can handle that, you will should enjoy this well-written, well-acted, visual masterpiece.

Watch it with someone who loves children.