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IMDb > Simon Birch (1998)
Simon Birch
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Simon Birch (1998) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   10,764 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers (WGA):
Mark Steven Johnson (screenplay)
John Irving (novel) (suggestion)
Contact:
View company contact information for Simon Birch on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 September 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
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
Awards:
3 wins & 3 nominations more
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)

User Comments:
A little gem 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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A Prayer for Owen Meany (USA) (working title)
A Small Miracle (USA) (working title)
Angels and Armadillos
more
MPAA:
Rated PG for language, emotional thematic elements, and an accident scene.
Runtime:
114 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
John Irving himself provided the name Simon Birch for the producers to use in place of Owen Meany. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the reverend is outside speaking to the Sunday school teacher before the Christmas play, he has a ring on in one scene but not the next. more
Quotes:
Simon Birch: Thank you Miss Wenteworth.
Rebecca Wenteworth: You know what Simon? Thank you.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Mickey's Monkey more

FAQ

What did John Irving think of Simon Birch?
more
9 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
A little gem, 26 January 2007
Author: David Vasser from Charlotte NC USA

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!

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Simon Birch (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
this movie has everything that a bad movie has in it znmo
A Prayer for Owen Meany cbatower
'God's Instrument' laideeh-a
To all those who love the book but bash the movie... wht-fang
This has probably been said before... detectivedancing
The Jim Carry 1 minute disaster exden
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