Gottes Werk und Teufels Beitrag

Ohne die hervorragenden Schauspielleistungen, an der Spitze mit Michael Caine und Tobey Maguire, würde Gottes Werk und Teufels Beitrag wahrscheinlich wie ein gewöhnliches berechnendes Werk wirken, das die Zuschauer*innen emotional auslaugen und ihnen Tränen in die Augen treiben soll. Zum Glück ist nichts dergleichen passiert (und falls ja, dann war es nicht besonders auffällig). Ich konnte in aller Ruhe die Geschichte verfolgen. Sie ist zwar vorhersehbar, aber gleichzeitig voll von so glaubhaften und menschlichen Figuren, dass ich dem Film nicht weniger als vier Sterne geben kann. (05.07.2011)

Perhaps the only really good movie adaptation of any of Irving’s works. The screenwriter (and author of the novel) transferred the book sensitively to the screen and so the brutal cuts from the original don’t matter, because the right atmosphere remains. Hallström holds the picture in his sure hand and everybody puts on good performances. A great and very pleasant movie to watch. (06.02.2007)

Along with Miloš Forman, Lasse Hallström is one of those European directors who have adapted best to the American environment and have managed to combine European artistic ambition with decent craftsmanship and the commercial interests of major studios. Like Forman, Hallström focused on adaptations of notable works by famous novelists under these new conditions and managed to process them with exceptional care and a sense of detail. The Cider House Rules is a cultivated and sensitive film about coming of age, the search for life values, a sense of duty, and love and friendship. It is not easy to set a film in an orphanage setting and avoid cheap sentimentality, but Hallström, in my opinion, succeeded perfectly. I often come across false tones in similar films, but I didn't hear them here. The film has excellent casting, with Maguire and Caine acting in a measured and precise manner. Both of them are very significant and unmissable actors of their generations. The only flaw in the film's beauty may be the slower pace for some viewers, but it certainly didn't bother me. Irving is not a writer whose works can be easily made into a film, but Hallström succeeded in this case. Overall impression: 95%. (06.11.2011)

An emotionally charged film, where the director focuses a bit too much for my taste on the beauty of the cinematography, the dreaminess of the setting, and the visual aesthetics. If Lasse Hallström had pushed a little harder, the film would have gained the much-needed dynamism. Nevertheless, the performances were very good. (08.08.2004)

I really cried at the end, this is something that will get everyone. A beautiful, moving story, sensitively filmed. How on earth does Lasse Hallstrom manage to make every one of his films a true cinematic event? And the actors? I really like Tobey Maguire's austere style, Michael Caine was excellent (but I can't help it, it wasn't Oscar-worthy), and Charlize Theron has long since ceased to be just a model, she’s a really good actress and an extremely glamorous one at that. And so, in conclusion, my friends, let's thank fate that this didn't get into the claws of Jan Svěrák. He would have thrown in some sad eyes or something similar and viewers would have missed out a profound experience. (20.09.2003)