LastingAware The greatest movie ever!

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Jemima It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Paul J. Nemecek When I look over my personal list of favorite films I find that most of my favorites reside at different ends of the same continuum. Many of my favorites are big films, films such as Gandhi, Schindler's List, and Dances With Wolves. Most of the rest of my favorite films are small films, films like A Family Thing, Spitfire Grill, and Il Postino. Simon Birch will be added to my list of favorite small films.While the film is small in feel, and its subject small in stature, there are some big emotions and sentiments that provide the foundation for the film. Simon Birch is a loose adaptation of a novel by John Irving, and is about a young boy who was the smallest recorded birth at the local hospital. Simon Birch is a dwarf who believes he is the way he is because he is an instrument of God. At points, it is a little hard to think of Simon in this category. Simon lapses into crude language, the occasional obscene gesture, and a typical adolescent obsession with female anatomy. When all is said and done, however, if we have difficulty in seeing Simon as an instrument of God, it reflects our smallness, not his.Simon's best friend is Joe, sometimes known to the locals as the Wentworth bastard. Joe is preoccupied with discovering the identity of his father. Simon is preoccupied with hearing his Father's voice and discovering his unique purpose. The bond between these friends is based in part on their respective quests, but also on the deviant status conferred on them by the townspeople. The bond between these two friends is part of what makes the film so engaging and ultimately rewarding. The performances by veteran actor Joe Mazzello (he plays Joe here, previously seen in Radio Flyer and Jurassic Park) and newcomer Ian McKellan as Simon are excellent. There are solid supporting perfomances by David Strathairn, Ashley Judd, and Oliver Platt.Simon Birch is directed by Mark Steven Johnson, whose previous screen credits include screenwriting credits for Grumpy Old Men. Grumpy old men is a good description of the audience that should steer clear of Simon Birch. Like many postmodern films, this film is a collage of style and texture ranging from broad slapstick humor in the Christmas pageant to serious emotional drama (and occasional melodrama) when one of the central characters is seriously ill. Several critics saw the sentimentality or the melodrama as a fatal flaw. There are points where the film is perhaps heavy-handed, but taken as a whole, director Mark Steven Johnson has crafted an engaging, and inspirational film that is definitely worth a look. Good things come in small packages. Here that applies to the character Simon Birch as well as the film that bears his name.

keslalarose Beautiful and underrated. If you need hope in life then watch this film. The love and friendship between a small boy and his town is moving and shows that belief in hope, no matter how many want you to fail is stronger than anything. Love yourself and others as though you are not separate and you will learn how to live happily. The directing is phenomenal and the dialog is fantastic. Regardless of what you hate about yourself, this film will teach you how to be grateful for the life you live. The narration by Jim is perfect and not once do you believe he is telling a "story." He is speaking of the strength it takes to put your faith in another's hands and never regretting it because the life lessons you learn.

hgnfrk This is the corniest movie I have seen in a long while. The main character is unbelievable and the scene where Ashley Judd's character is 'knocked out' is totally contrived and unbelievable. How could such a small person hit a ball so hard as to kill someone? People with diabetes should avoid this film due to its sugary composition. The main character is not only unbelievable but not very likable. His complaints about church socials having a continental breakfast make him sound like a Christian tali-ban. I would not let my children see this film because of Simon Birch's pretentious and self-righteous view of the world and religion.

David Vasser This film is a coming of age piece about a young man with obvious disadvantages that would have beat down most people. Yet he manages to find God's plan for him while showing those who doubted him that he had the right stuff all along. There are other subplot misdirections but that is the main thrust.Ian Smith, who plays the title lead, is very small in stature, but he has giant talents. I'm surprised he hasn't been cast in other films yet.An engrossing, sometimes funny and sometimes sad film that I found to be remarkably well made. Everyone involved should be proud of it. One of the better little films I've seen lately and frankly it is better than some major films release lately. Very pleasantly surprised when I stumbled onto it on WGN and plan to view it again uninterrupted on DVD as soon as I can. Why haven't I heard of this film before? An excellent screenplay, skillful direction, plus tight period music, art direction and wardrobe add up to a great early 60's feel. Natural editing, good casting, clear sound even during the big exciting scenes show this to be a well made film all the way around. This is a film for adults about guys growing up physically and emotionally. This is not suitable for children under 18. Not because there is something they shouldn't see in this movie, but instead because they just won't get it.I saw it last night and I'm still chuckling to myself now and then about the Christmas play scene. Thanks to all involved for making a really, really good movie! It has some laughs, but also made me stop to question what God's plan for my life might be. It restored some of my faith that He does have a plan for those of us who are willing to give Him a chance to lead us to our opportunity to become His instrument. If none of that makes sense to you, you haven't seen this movie!