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


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   10,761 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:
Totally Awesome And A Very Touching Well Made Movie ! 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:
A music video was released, where Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds is featured alongside the bus from the movie. 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: You're already a bastard. Might as well be an enlightened one. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Up on the Roof more

FAQ

What did John Irving think of Simon Birch?
more
22 out of 28 people found the following comment useful.
Totally Awesome And A Very Touching Well Made Movie !, 6 September 2004
10/10
Author: dj-parr from Worthing, England

This film is by far one of the most moving, well filmed and acted films I have seen in many years. The touching story shows the life of young Simon played perfectly by Ian Michael Smith in a very small, and not always understanding community. It is set beautifully in the 1950s and shows how the inner strength and enormous faith shown by such a little boy afflicted with so many physical problems can have such an influence on those around him along with the respect he would command amongst his piers. The film also stars well known child actor Joseph Mazzello who plays Joe Wenteworth ( Simon's best friend.) Mazzello also starred in Jurassic Park, The River Wild, The Curse etc I think this was Joseph's finest performance yet. It was also very nice to see a cameo performance by Jim Carrey as the grown up Joe, and to see how Jim can be a very convincing serious actor too ! I would like to see more roles of this type from Jim for maybe the years to come ?

The photography was so well executed, and showed such lovely changing seasons through the year it was set. For me there were so many 'post card 'scenes. The pop songs of the 50s used blended perfectly with the film, and also had one of the most lovely and very memorable soundtracks too written by Marc Shaiman.

I must recommend this film to all who have not yet seen it. It scores a 10 on the 'weepie' scale too so be warned !!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (212 total)

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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