Simon Birch (1998)

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The PERFECT movie for family night! You'll cry, you'll laugh and you'll just plain FEEL good!I can't recommend this movie enough. Beautiful in every aspect.Script is flawless. Acting is superb and the cinematography is excellent!A home run!

The story is set in small town New England of the early 1960's and tells the story of an underdeveloped boy named Simon (Ian Michael Smith) and his unwavering faith that god has made him the way he is for some special purpose. His best friend Joe (Joseph Mazello) just wants to discover the identity of his father. This is nominally a story about small town life and growing up, but it's also about faith, religion and a number of other themes (though apparently not all the themes were found in the novel).Simon Birch manages to be atmospheric and mystical and also quite funny at times though it is unquestionably a dramatic film with some tragic elements.We get a pair of good performances from Ashley Judd as Joe's mother and Oliver Platt who plays a drama teacher with an interest in Joe's mother, it's a bit of a departure for Platt but its nice to see him in a role with a romantic interest. The two boys are also quite effective in their roles. Some of the supporting performances are less effective; David Straithairn who I usually enjoy comes across as wooden and Jan Hooks performance as the Sunday school teacher kept reminding me of her work on Saturday Night Live. Although it's a very small role Jim Carrey is also effective in one of his first dramatic film roles, he is also the narrator.According to the credits the film is suggested by the book "A Prayer from Owen Meaney" by John Irving, this was done at the request of the author because either the film only covered a small part of the 600 page novel or because they only bear a passing resemblance to one another. The author also requested the name change of the title character which necessitated the title change as well.The film was written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson who for the most part has stuck to comic book adaptations since this film.While this could be a film for the whole family (the film was rated PG) it might be little to emotionally charged for children.

Simon birch was a very touching and moving movie that leaves you feeling good in the end. It is personally one of my favorite movies ever made. Ian Michael Smith surprisingly did a great job at acting seeing as how it was his first experience in a movie. Joseph Mazzello, Ashley Judd, Oliver Platt, and David Straiharn also played great roles. Simon Birch is a movie filled with lots of laughs, yet also tears. It has a lot to give and is such a great story that will make you think about God and life in a different view. At least it did for me... Simon Birch is like any other average movie. No special effects, action scenes, or things like that but it still is better than most movies out there. This movie is good without the special effects and such. Overall I give it a 9 out of 10!

Anyone remember that kid in grade school who tried real hard to be cool? You know him, that one guy/girl who just kept coming up to you, day in and day out, just trying to impress you. He'd be in the back of the classroom making rude flatulent noises, or sticking food up his nose during lunch. And no matter what he did, you could always just tell the kid was trying too hard, and it got to the point where it was embarrassing just to watch him. This movie is that kid.You can tell this movie wanted to be "hot sh*t", that it wanted to be the next great cinematic classic for kids. It wishes it could hang out with "The Sandlot" or "Stand By Me", but instead it ends up being... well "Simon Birch". There's one scene in particular in the film, where Simon is portraying the Little Lord Jesus in the church's nativity scene, at which point it becomes infinitesimally clear what a failure the film is. "Mary", or whatever her name is, leans in to check on Simon. Just as she does this, the song "Fever" (You give me fever...) cues in, and Simon screams "BOOBS!" You can just tell how much Jacobsen wanted every kid to laugh and cajole like this. But Simon isn't a kid; he's a character. Irving was right to disassociate himself from this cinematic violation of his material. The "character's" in his book are well rounded, fully featured people who could be as real you or I. Jacobsen seems to have forgotten this. Even movies I mentioned above like "Stand by Me" feature the characters reacting in real ways to real situations. "Simon Birch" just tries too hard to act, and forgets to act real. Oh, and that last part, with Jim Carrey and his kid... Wow. It took every last bit of Willpower not to storm the studio lot and demand my money back right then and there. And keep in mind I saw this on television and had not actually paid anything. The whole "Pee Wee vs. Squirt" conversation was bad enough. Then that kid shows up and gives what is quite possibly the worst performance since Benjamin Mackenzie in the trailer for "Johnny Got His Gun." (YouTube it folks)At least Daredevil was good. Oh, wait...