Simon Birch (1998)

Director:

Mark Steven Johnson

Writers (WGA):

Mark Steven Johnson (screenplay)
John Irving (novel) (suggestion)

Release Date:

11 September 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

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.

Plot Keywords:

Cemetery | Secret | Adoption | Friendship | Quarry

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

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

Also Known As:

A Prayer for Owen Meany (USA) (working title)
A Small Miracle (USA) (working title)
Angels and Armadillos

MPAA:

Rated PG for language, emotional thematic elements, and an accident scene.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:MG6 | Philippines:G | South Korea:All | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-10/7 | Germany:6 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Elora, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Hollywood Pictures

Trivia:

John Irving himself provided the name Simon Birch for the producers to use in place of Owen Meany.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Throughout the entire film, Simon can be seen wearing a hearing-aid (behind the ear). These were developed in the 1960's, however the model seen in the movie was not available until after 1964.

Quotes:

Simon: I don't think God's plan includes breaking and entering.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "HBO First Look: The Making of 'The Mexican' (#8.1)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Fever

Please don't compare this to Irving's book...Excellent in itself!

If you've read the book "A Prayer for Owen Meany", forget the book and see the movie on its own. I LOVED this movie! I can't recommend it enough. John Irving's genius characters show through, even though it is loosely based on the book. Please do not compare the wonderful book to this fantastic movie! Garp and Ciderhouse Rules are the best representations of his books. I thought Hotel New Hampshire stunk...Irving should have rejected that script and having anything to do with it. The movie is about Simon finding a purpose for his life, as a "special plan of God's". This is important to me, in that I feel everyone needs to search out their life's purpose, whether they believe in God or not. This movie helps us ponder this thought from a sickly dwarf child's point of view. A very special movie about a very special person. Jim Carrey plays the adult Joe, and narrates the movie. Grab a hanky.