Cider House Rules

This week's movies were Cider House Rules and All the President's Men which were chosen I suspect because of the text readings and because of their subject matter.
As you probably already know, Cider House Rules is based on the novel by John Irving.  The movie is two hours and eleven minutes, which as you can image is an extremely condensed version of his 1985 and 592 page novel. 

This is one movie where I wish I had I read the book before watching the movie.  Now I am so curious of the characters and how much more depth there is to them and to know more about them.   
The text reading for the week has to deal with the influence movies have on our social and cultural issues and often times political issues. 

 Often times, what we imagine we create and bring to life.  We watch movies and read for various reasons and that is the purpose of different generes.  We are information gatherers and if we do not read it, we listen, we watch or we communicate with each other to help us with whatever it is that is concering or consuming our thoughts.

The Cider House Rules was a great film demonstrating the different sides of a topic. Although it is fictional the story is real and those decisions are faced by many men and women and it helps bring the topic up for discussion. How often is there the argument that continues because neither can see each other's point of view or the real root of the problem. Films like the last two force you to listen to both sides, it may or may not change your opinon about abortion or for that matter Mrs. Robinson's lifestyle but it will allow you to develop converstation or cement your convictions. Very wise individuals have warned about judging others or situations until you have experienced them yourself or that you may think your situation is dire but honestly there is someone out there somewhere who has it much worse than you. In the films you were given a chance to think about different situations and how you might react. It can really be a learning experience, just like reading a book or attending a speaker.

 

The Cider House Rules is a movie that demonstrates the very controvertial topic of abortion.  It gave the arguement pro and con and the very real dilemma and different circumstances that can make the black and white go completely gray.  Will watching the movie change a person's stance on the topic of abortion?  Maybe and maybe not.  Using the stories of the orphans, the war, the incest/rape, all were displaying stories/considerations that should be considered before assuming all or no side to the argument.  It was not a propaganda film or a political documentary but a way that an author brought a very controversial topic before a very large and diverse segment of society. 

 

It was a very, very good movie and the part that stands out to me more than any part to the entire film that touch me in ways that I cannot express was Curly and his feeling like he wasn't good enough and wondering why.