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Simon Birch

  • 1998
  • PG
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
23K
YOUR RATING
Simon Birch (1998)
A young boy with stunted growth is convinced that God has a great purpose for him.
Play trailer2:26
1 Video
33 Photos
ComedyDramaFamily

A young boy with stunted growth is convinced that God has a great purpose for him.A young boy with stunted growth is convinced that God has a great purpose for him.A young boy with stunted growth is convinced that God has a great purpose for him.

  • Director
    • Mark Steven Johnson
  • Writers
    • Mark Steven Johnson
    • John Irving
  • Stars
    • Ian Michael Smith
    • Joseph Mazzello
    • Ashley Judd
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    23K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mark Steven Johnson
    • Writers
      • Mark Steven Johnson
      • John Irving
    • Stars
      • Ian Michael Smith
      • Joseph Mazzello
      • Ashley Judd
    • 236User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
    • 39Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:26
    Official Trailer

    Photos33

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    Top cast64

    Edit
    Ian Michael Smith
    Ian Michael Smith
    • Simon Birch
    Joseph Mazzello
    Joseph Mazzello
    • Joe Wenteworth
    Ashley Judd
    Ashley Judd
    • Rebecca Wenteworth
    Oliver Platt
    Oliver Platt
    • Ben Goodrich
    David Strathairn
    David Strathairn
    • Rev. Russell
    Dana Ivey
    Dana Ivey
    • Grandmother Wenteworth
    Beatrice Winde
    • Hilde Grove
    Jan Hooks
    Jan Hooks
    • Miss Leavey
    Cecilley Carroll
    • Marjorie
    Sumela Kay
    Sumela Kay
    • Ann
    • (as Sumela-Rose Keramidopulos)
    Sam Morton
    • Stuart
    Jim Carrey
    Jim Carrey
    • Adult Joe Wenteworth
    John Mazzello
    • Simon Wenteworth
    Holly Dennison
    • Mrs. Birch
    Peter MacNeill
    Peter MacNeill
    • Mr. Birch
    Thick Wilson
    • Dr. Wells
    • (as Addison Bell)
    Roger McKeen
    • Coach Higgins
    Sean McCann
    Sean McCann
    • Chief Al Cork
    • Director
      • Mark Steven Johnson
    • Writers
      • Mark Steven Johnson
      • John Irving
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews236

    6.822.6K
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    Featured reviews

    7stefan-144

    Delicately balanced

    A film of many charming features, indeed, but what struck me as the most impressive quality of it, was its delicate balance between comedy and tragedy. Strolling ahead on a tight rope, with abyss on either side - that of despair and that of burlesque - and never falling. It even succeeds in a most daring balance between pity and parody.

    Portraying a boy with such a severe physical handicap, and with terrible parents at that, would normally tie any director's hands and feet, and the result would be sweet, at best. In this film, though, we are even allowed to smile at the odd clashes between the normal and that which is not, and laugh at the situation comedy evolving. The result is endearing, truly compassionate.

    And the acting is tremendous, especially from Joseph Mazzello and Ian Michael Smith, the two boys in a very odd couple friendship. Mazzello is breathtaking in scenes of such emotional complexity that most actors would be wise to find an easy way out. I have no idea how he does it, but certainly it is by talent - no schooling gives that kind of tools.

    The plot is overly complex, with several 'deus ex machina' events uncalled for, et cetera - probably in fear that the skilled balance of the film and the nerve of the acting would not suffice. But they do, and then some.
    8vasser

    A little gem

    This film is a coming of age piece about a young man with obvious disadvantages that would have beat down most people. Yet he manages to find God's plan for him while showing those who doubted him that he had the right stuff all along. There are other subplot misdirections but that is the main thrust.

    Ian Smith, who plays the title lead, is very small in stature, but he has giant talents. I'm surprised he hasn't been cast in other films yet.

    An engrossing, sometimes funny and sometimes sad film that I found to be remarkably well made. Everyone involved should be proud of it. One of the better little films I've seen lately and frankly it is better than some major films release lately. Very pleasantly surprised when I stumbled onto it on WGN and plan to view it again uninterrupted on DVD as soon as I can. Why haven't I heard of this film before? An excellent screenplay, skillful direction, plus tight period music, art direction and wardrobe add up to a great early 60's feel. Natural editing, good casting, clear sound even during the big exciting scenes show this to be a well made film all the way around. This is a film for adults about guys growing up physically and emotionally. This is not suitable for children under 18. Not because there is something they shouldn't see in this movie, but instead because they just won't get it.

    I saw it last night and I'm still chuckling to myself now and then about the Christmas play scene. Thanks to all involved for making a really, really good movie! It has some laughs, but also made me stop to question what God's plan for my life might be. It restored some of my faith that He does have a plan for those of us who are willing to give Him a chance to lead us to our opportunity to become His instrument. If none of that makes sense to you, you haven't seen this movie!
    crazygirl_me_nokia

    Really touching

    The movie is original, fresh and really touching. It makes you appreciate life and the people who share it with you. 'Joe' had 4 people die in a short period of time. It was inevitable that Simon would die, but he didn't expect to die whilst saving others. Never take the people around you for granted as you may loose them before you know it. I was crying so much through it as it's a definite wake up call that life will one day stop. You have to watch it and learn from it. Filmed perfectly with a great choice of actors.
    bsc2001

    What a grandma thinks about this movie

    Today I watched Simon Birch for the second time. I checked it out of the library yesterday and watched it in the afternoon. And today I saw it again. I am so impressed by all the actors, they were perfect. Especially little Ian Michael Smith. And I didn't mind being emotionally manipulated at all. I looked up the movie on the internet, that's how I found this site, and until now all the reviews were kind of negative. Well, I thought it was wonderful, and I may even watch it one more time before returning it. So there! And oh, Ashley Judd. She is so beautiful anyway, but in this movie she was almost angelic. Well, everyone was so good. Oliver Platt was great, and the two boys were magnificent. I have encouraged a lot of friends to rent or otherwise see this movie, it does one's heart good. I have just decided, tomorrow I will watch it again.
    7khatcher-2

    a feel-good story line

    A lad with stunted growth who holds out with brave optimism and sheer good-naturedness is able to go through school life and survive any antagonisms with aplomb, indeed, forging an inseparable friendship, as he approaches his twelfth and fatal year.

    Beautifully told story, with excellent photography and good music keeping just the right atmosphere, this is a film which might have some downgrading it to a simple `tear-jerker' and reaching for inexhaustible supplies of paper-handkerchiefs. But the story-line is more subtle and more carefully played out, such that in effect the film does not even try to pull out any angst from those softer-at-heart: the acting itself - especially that of Ian Michael Smith - and the focussing of the story rises above this. However, this is of course a `feel-good' story, though the end might leave you thinking otherwise.

    Once again, how nice to see an attractive film without violence or sex being the main protagonists.

    I would not mind trying to find the book................

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Author John Irving doubted his novel, "A Prayer for Owen Meany", could ever be turned into a film, and sold the screen rights on the condition it not be released under the same name as his book. Irving himself provided the name Simon Birch for the producers to use in place of Owen Meany.
    • Goofs
      The fateful Christmas in question is in December 1964, but a news item on the radio reports a speech given by President Kennedy, killed a year earlier.
    • Quotes

      Simon: Your mother is so sexy, sometimes I forget she's someone's mother.

      Joe: What if I said the same thing about your mother?

      Simon: I'd have you committed.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Rounders/Kiki's Delivery Service/Simon Birch/Slums of Beverly Hills/Digging to China (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      You Were There
      Written, Produced and Performed by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds

      Performance courtesy of Epic Records

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Simon Birch?Powered by Alexa
    • What did John Irving think of Simon Birch?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 11, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El gran Simon
    • Filming locations
      • Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Hollywood Pictures
      • Caravan Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,253,415
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,321,370
      • Sep 13, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,253,415
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 54m(114 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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