Simon Birch |  | Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Actors: Ian Michael Smith, Joseph Mazzello, Ashley Judd, Oliver Platt, David Strathairn
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.99
Buy New: $4.94
as of 2/9/2010 09:35 EST details
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New (38) Used (25) from $4.20
Seller: moviemars
Rating:  307 reviews
Sales Rank: 3000
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 114 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: D17241D
ISBN: 0788815466
UPC: 717951002358
EAN: 9780788815461
ASIN: 0788815466
Theatrical Release Date: September 11, 1998
Release Date: May 18, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Born the size of a human hand, Simon Birch was not predicted to live through the first week of his life. Then the first month. Then the first year. Twelve years later, Simon is still alive, and still incredibly undersized. He constantly reminds his best friend Joe that God has a special plan for him. Meanwhile, Joe spends his time closed off from his mother's new suitors, preoccupied with the knowledge that he has never been told who his real father is. When fate intervenes in the form of a foul ball during a little league game, Joe understands that he will never learn the truth; unless Simon is right about there being a purpose for everything, that is. A hopeful, heartwarming tale that the whole family can enjoy. Based on John Irving's A Prayer For Owen Meany.
Amazon.com
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
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 307
 Simon Birch November 19, 2009
Carol Schlotterbeck (Kokomo, IN)
A great film for young people. It demonstrates how people who are different can make a difference.
Great story for teens and even preteens September 14, 2009
Gen H. Hoffmann (Dade City, FL)
This is a great story of faith and two boys about 12 years old. Parents should preview before showing to preteens to see if their children can handle some very serious parts of the movie.
 SIMON BIRCH June 25, 2009
Sandra Chute
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
THE FIRST ONE WE RECEIVED IN A SHORT TIME BUT THE SOUND WAS NOT GOOD SO I NOT
IFIED AMAZON AND THEY TOOK CARE OF THE MATTER PROMPTLY AND WE HAD A NEW ONE IN 2 DAYS WHICH WAS PERFECT. MY HUSBAND WAS VERY HAPPY.
Warning, should be PG-13 rating June 20, 2009
Mom of 4 (Kittrell, NC United States)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I heard so many rave reviews that I rented this movie to watch with my family. After watching about 10 minutes we had to turn it off and wait for a time when my 4 and 6 yo were sleeping. This movie has a lot of language and sexual innuendo. So buyers beware.
high quality June 19, 2009
M. Ramirez (Miami, FL)
i love this film, i was looking for it in blockbuster but they dont have it so i decided to buy it and luckily i found it. it's a good movie and you can see it with the family and kids :)
Showing reviews 1-5 of 307
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