Simon Birch (1998)
-
44% of critics liked it
(32 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(49,801 ratings)
This comedy-drama features a narration by Jim Carrey, looking back to childhood in a manner similar to the narration on TV's The Wonder Years. The film is the directorial debut of writer Mark Steven Johnson, scripter of Grumpy Old Men and its sequel. Johnson adapted only a small portion of John… More This comedy-drama features a narration by Jim Carrey, looking back to childhood in a manner similar to the narration on TV's The Wonder Years. The film is the directorial debut of writer Mark Steven Johnson, scripter of Grumpy Old Men and its sequel. Johnson adapted only a small portion of John Irving's 600-page novel A Prayer for Owen Meany (1989), but Irving requested a credit other than "based on" and also asked that the character name of Owen Meany be changed. So Owen became Simon Birch -- which then required a title change. In the title role is 11-year-old Ian Michael Smith, who is afflicted with Morquio's syndrome, a genetic disorder which causes dwarfism. The story begins when Joe Wenteworth (Jim Carrey) visits the grave of his childhood friend Simon Birch, whose stone is marked 1952-64. Joe explains that Simon is "the reason I believe in God." This is followed by a flashback to their friendship during the early '60s. In Gravestown, New Hampshire, young Joe Wenteworth (Joseph Mazzello) doesn't know who his father is, and his loving mother Rebecca (Ashley Judd) won't tell him. Joe's best buddy is young Simon Birch, born so tiny that his classmates pass him about like a "doll." Neglected at home, Simon turns to Rebecca as a surrogate mother, and he often has dinner with the Wenteworths. One night, Rebecca brings her friend Ben Goodrich (Oliver Platt) home for dinner, which annoys her crotchety mother (Dana Ivey). Later, the lives of the two 12-year-olds receive a cruel twist, and the two then become more curious to learn the secret of Joe's father. Shown in competition at the 1998 Montreal Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Mark Johnson, Mark Steven Johnson
- Written By
- Mark Steven Johnson
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Sep 11, 1998 Wide
- Studio
- Disney
Critic Reviews
-
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Great, overlooked film.
-
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Wonderfully performed and syrupy sweet
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Ian Michael Smith
as Simon Birch
-
Joseph Mazzello
as Joe Wenteworth
-
Ashley Judd
as Rebecca Wenteworth
-
Oliver Platt
as Ben Goodrich
-
David Strathairn
as Reverend Russell
-
Dana Ivey
as Grandmother Wenteworth
-
Beatrice Winde
as Hilde Grove
-
Jan Hooks
as Miss Leavey
-
Cecilley Carroll
as Marjorie
-
Sumela-Rose Keramidopulos
as Ann
-
Sam Morton
as Stuart
-
Jim Carrey
as Adult Joe Wenteworth
