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Simon Birch (1998)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
11 September 1998 (USA)
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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. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
'Where The Wild Things Are' Author's Blessing Gave The Film Freedom
(From MTV Movie News. 15 October 2009, 3:52 AM, PDT)
First When in Rome Trailer
(From Filmofilia. 15 August 2009, 6:31 AM, PDT)
(From MTV Movie News. 15 October 2009, 3:52 AM, PDT)
First When in Rome Trailer
(From Filmofilia. 15 August 2009, 6:31 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Delicately balanced
more (212 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
A Prayer for Owen Meany (USA) (working title)
A Small Miracle (USA) (working title)
Angels and Armadillos
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A Small Miracle (USA) (working title)
Angels and Armadillos
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MPAA:
Rated PG for language, emotional thematic elements, and an accident scene.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
114 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
A music video was released, where Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds is featured alongside the bus from the movie.
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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.
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Quotes:
Simon Birch:
Sex makes people crazy.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "HBO First Look: The Making of 'The Mexican' (#8.1)" (2001)
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Soundtrack:
Can I Get A Witness
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FAQ
What did John Irving think of Simon Birch?more
more (212 total)
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| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
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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.