Simon Birch (1998)

Director:

Mark Steven Johnson

Writers (WGA):

Mark Steven Johnson (screenplay)
John Irving (novel) (suggestion)

Release Date:

11 September 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Destiny has big plans for little Simon Birch.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Young Boy | Illegitimate Son | Best Friend | Destiny

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Ian Michael Smith	...	Simon Birch
Joseph Mazzello	...	Joe Wenteworth
Ashley Judd	...	Rebecca Wenteworth
Oliver Platt	...	Ben Goodrich
David Strathairn	...	Rev. Russell
Dana Ivey	...	Grandmother Wenteworth
Beatrice Winde	...	Hilde Grove
Jan Hooks	...	Miss Leavey
Cecilley Carroll	...	Marjorie
Sumela Kay	...	Ann (as Sumela-Rose Keramidopulos)
Sam Morton	...	Stuart
Jim Carrey	...	Adult Joe Wenteworth
John Mazzello	...	Simon Wenteworth
Holly Dennison	...	Mrs. Birch
Peter MacNeill	...	Mr. Birch

Also Known As:

A Prayer for Owen Meany (USA) (working title)
A Small Miracle (USA) (working title)
Angels and Armadillos

MPAA:

Rated PG for language, emotional thematic elements, and an accident scene.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:MG6 | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Philippines:G | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-10/7 | Germany:6 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Elora, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Hollywood Pictures

Trivia:

A music video was released, where Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds is featured alongside the bus from the movie.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: 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 Birch: Sex makes people crazy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "HBO First Look: The Making of 'The Mexican' (#8.1)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Can I Get A Witness

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.