Portman, Rachel

• Cider House Rules, The (1999)

  [6/10]

  "Movies often use an innocent outsider like Homer to bring the viewer a new perspective of contemporary issues. The Cider House Rules effectively uses this cliched character to present its pro-abortion agenda. As Homer falls in love (and has sex), he must adjust his views on abortion, especially when faced with the implications of the unwanted pregnancies of Rose, a fellow apple picker. "

• Joy Luck Club, The (1993)

  [8/10]

  "The Joy Luck Club examines the lives of eight women: four mothers and their daughters. Each mother went through harrowing experiences to come to the United States from pre-Communist China. And even though the daughters only know fragments of their mothers' stories, these events define major aspects of their personalities and their relationships with their mothers and others."

• Lake House, The (2006)

  [6/10]

  "Alas, we have only drab locations for a common love story with a cute, but unimaginative, gimmick."

  Average score: 6.67