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List Price: $9.99 | | Label: Walt Disney Video
Salesrank: 4069
Released: May 18, 1999 |
| Our Price: $4.97 |
| Used Price: $3.99 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
A heartwarming and funny hit that's earned overwhelming critical acclaim, SIMON BIRCH features great performances from stars Ashley Judd (DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD, HIGH CRIMES, KISS THE GIRLS) and Oliver Platt (BICENTENNIAL MAN, DON'T SAY A WORD) in an outstanding cast! Even though Simon Birch is the smallest kid in town, deep down he knows that he was born to do something big! He's on a constant search to discover his destiny, but somehow manages to find nothing but trouble! Meanwhile, Simon's loyal best friend, Joe (Joseph Mazzello -- JURASSIC PARK, RADIO FLYER), is searching for the identity of his father, a secret his beautiful mother (Judd) has guarded Joe's entire life. Discover for yourself the undeniable charms of this uplifting and inspirational motion picture as these two share the hilarious, and sometimes tragic, ups and downs that will forever bind them together!
Description of Simon Birch:
This screen adaptation of John Irving's novel A Prayer for Owen Meany was appreciated much more by audiences than by the majority of disapproving critics. Irving's books have fared only moderately well on film, and while The World According to Garp garnered critical praise, The Hotel New Hampshire was waiting in the wings to counteract the fanfare. Simon Birch is one of those nostalgic movies--determined to view the past in rose-colored hues--despite the fact that its protagonist, a dwarf named Simon Birch, is wholeheartedly unsympathetic. The film opens weepily, with Jim Carrey as the adult version of the film's main character and narrator, Joe Wenteworth (played as a youth by the serious young actor Joseph Mazzello). He's mourning at the grave of his best childhood friend, Simon Birch, with whom he had bonded instantly because both were misfits--one a dwarf, the other illegitimate. The deck is stacked from the beginning, especially when the camera dwells on Joe's luscious mom, Rebecca (Ashley Judd), who refuses to reveal the identity of Joe's father, which in turn urges Simon and Joe to embark on a quest to discover Joe's paternity. In a plot point that resembles The Scarlet Letter, the tide of fate turns on the "immoral" mom just as she's on the verge of finding true love with a decent fellow (played by Oliver Platt). Simon Birch ultimately descends into crudeness, though it asks the audience to continue to engage with its crass lead character. By the end, the film is reduced to drivel, cliché, and melodrama to tug our heartstrings into submission. All the things that should have been the film's focus--guilt, self-loathing, and redemption--remain elusive. --Paula Nechak
Simon Birch Reviews:
A Small Boy With a Big Heart 
2008-06-11 - Simon Birch is an incredible film about boys, Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith) and Joe Wenteworth (Joseph Mazzello) who play two twelve-year-olds who become best friends. Simon Birch plays a dwarf who thinks that god had a "plan" for him to do something big; he thinks he is a miracle child. Joe is really the only person who sees Simon as a normal child. He is really nice to Simon and they always hang out with each other. They get into all sorts of trouble with one another.
Personally, my favorite part of the movie is when Joe and Simon sneak into their school after hours and get into some trouble. Then, the janitors Bull Mastiff finds them and goes up to Simon. The height difference is hilarious.
On a cold winter day, an accident happens that will affect everyone for the worst. At this part of the movie, I cried and cried and cried. It is most definitely the saddest part of the movie.
This film is based on a fiction novel called A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. It was originally a story about a small person who was in the war and the struggles Owen Meany goes through.
It is a heart-warming, humorous tale that makes me cry every time I see it. It will always be one of my favorites and it is a great movie. The lesson in this movie is not to judge a book by its cover, or in this case, not to judge a boy by his height. Also it is to make decisions carefully. My favorite line in this movie is when Simon says to Joe, " What we do and what we wish to do are to different things. If we all went around doing everything we wanted to do, there would be chaos." That part of the movie really tells you an important message.
So, this movie is a great movie and there wasn't a single thing I disliked.
An Affectionate Look at True Faith
2008-05-10 - Simon Birch is about an outsider, a pre-teen dwarf living in a gorgeous, way-too-pretty northern New England town; he's an object of ridicule who thinks he has a destiny to fulfill for God. He was put on this earth for a purpose, to do God's will at a key point in his life. His parents have rejected him. Another family has taken him to their hearts. Simon falls for the family's single mother, the town's beauty, who worships him. Her son befriends Simon, and the two become great buddies. The boys are real, the mother is almost too good to be true, and her devoted boy friend becomes a loyal pal to the boys. Simon is an oversexed little devil who keenly appreciates a woman or girl's physical attributes.
Simon is the left-out who has the guts to publicly criticize his pastor because he is a true believer while the pastor may have strayed from faith and belief. The acting is outstanding. The flick has an idealized, somewhat Disneyesque cinematography. It is sentimental, a tear-jerker, but has a heartwarming quality. Simon's parents are caricatures as is the Sunday school teacher. It is based upon a John Irving work which explains its heart-tugging aspects.
The movie proves that physical abnormality may mask the pure soul within. Some things in the movie are too predictable, but it provides a lesson in humanity for the viewer. You'll shed some tears unless you're heartless because there is sadness and pain.
Worth your time to see. Not maudlin, but keep those hankies ready.The Daemon in Our Dreams
Clawed Back from the Dead
The Rice Queen Spy
Nine Lives Too Many
Simon Birch
2008-02-27 - I can't imagine what movie the Amazon idiot, Paula Nechak , watched, but it couldn't have been the WONDERFUL Simon Birch! This woman apparently has NO heart whatsoever!
This is a movie I have watched more than once, and it never ceases to touch my heart, especially with Simon Birch being a dwarf, yet with a Huge heart, and a spirit that never ever gives up. His bond with the other young boy who is trying to find out who his father is, is also heart warming.
For anyone to say that the character of Simon Birch was totally 'unsympathetic' is ludicrous! How many lives have YOU saved, Paula Nechak ? Okay, it is just a movie, but if you could not 'see' anything good in this movie, there is truly something wrong with you.
Sad but uplifting
2008-02-23 - Funny (best school Christmas pagent debacle scene EVER)and poignant. Great message for everyone without being righteous ~ we are all born with a purpose, with a God-given plan.
I never tire of watching this movie and haul it out at least once a year to share with friends.
Simon Birch
2008-02-15 - received the movie promptly and in a-1 condition! Have been extremely happy with Amazon's service overall!
