Inspired by Victorian literature in general and the novels of Charles Dickens specifically, the novel originated with the idea creating a modern day tale of life in an orphanage.

John Irving’s The Cider House Rules is an example of the evolutionary nature of the creative process of writing something as complex as a novel. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. Michael Winterbottom was once set to direct, but pulled out, due to his impatience with the lengthy development process.These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.At one point, Matthew Broderick and Max von Sydow were announced as the leads for this movie.Liv Tyler was considered for the role of Candy Kendall.Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, James Franco, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Edward Norton, Ryan Phillippe, Paul Walker and Mark Wahlberg were considered for the role of Homer Wells.Hostility on the Set: Charlize Theron revealed that she didn't get on with Tobey Maguire, though they did reconcile years later.

He also admits that, having offered constant criticism of the choices in the adaptation, he was probably given the role because the one thing the director knew Irving could accurately portray was disapproval. Creator Cameo: John Irving appears in two short scenes as a character described in the script only as 'the disapproving stationmaster.' Irving includes this incident in his making-of memoir My Movie Business, where he describes, with some amusement, how it felt to play a character whose sole trait was silent disapproval.It is also titled Gottes Werk, Teufels Beitrag ( God's Work, the Devil's Contribution) in German.Larch preforms are referred to as 'the Lord's Work' by the characters, and the orphans whose lives are left up to fate reflect just how crippling the abortion laws are.

The title isn't completely inaccurate, either, and actually fits the book's themes better than The Cider House Rules does, as the abortions Dr. The work of God referring to the births, the share of the Devil referring to the abortions.

Known as L'oeuvre de Dieu, la part du Diable (meaning The work of God, the share of the Devil) in French.

Creator's Favorite: John Irving named Melony as one of his favorite characters to write in any of his novels, admitting that it hurt to remove her from the screenplay.

The cider house john irving