Simon Birch (1998)

A Small Boy With a Big Heart

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. June 11, 2008

An Affectionate Look at True Faith

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
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Simon Birch

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. February 27, 2008

Sad but uplifting

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. February 23, 2008

Simon Birch

received the movie promptly and in a-1 condition! Have been extremely happy with Amazon's service overall! February 15, 2008

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