Simon Birch is a 1998 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson in his directorial debut, loosely based on the 1989 novel A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. The film stars Ian Michael Smith in his only acting role, Joseph Mazzello, Jim Carrey, Ashley Judd, and Oliver Platt. It omitted much of the latter half of the novel and altered the ending.
The film does not share the book's title at Irving's request; he did not believe that his novel could successfully be made into a film. The name "Simon Birch" was suggested by him to replace that of Owen Meany. The opening credits of the film state that it was "suggested by" Irving's novel. The main plot centers on 12-year-old Joe Wenteworth and his best friend Simon Birch, who was born with dwarfism. Simon Birch was released by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution on September 11, 1998. The film received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office failure that grossed just $18.3 million against a budget of $20 million.
Contents
Plot
An adult Joe Wenteworth visits the grave of his late friend, Simon Birch. He narrates over as the film transitions to their childhood in 1964. Simon is the smallest child in the history of Gravestown. His callous parents show little to no concern for his wellbeing. He loves baseball even though he almost never gets to play during Little League, and when he does, it's only to get a walk due to his abnormally small strike zone and his inability to run. Rebecca, Joe's mother who is the belle of the town, fell pregnant with Joe after meeting a man on a train. Her refusal to reveal the identity of the father has resulted in Joe's reputation as the town's love child. She was also seen as a mother-figure to Simon as his parents were very distant of him.
One day, Rebecca invites drama teacher Ben Goodrich over for dinner. He meets the boys and gifts Joe a stuffed armadillo. Simon takes an instant liking to Ben, but Joe is initially standoffish, as he just wants to find his birth father. Rebecca invites Ben with them to church one Sunday morning. During church announcements, Simon expresses his beliefs to Reverend Russell that church activities are irrelevant to glorifying God. Sunday school teacher Miss Leavey sits him in a corner until he apologizes. She berates him, saying he doesn't belong in church. Outraged upon hearing this, Rebecca argues with Leavey as she comes to pick up Simon, calling out her insecurities towards Simon's abundant faith.
During a baseball game, Simon hits the perfect pitch. It becomes a foul ball that hits Rebecca in the head, killing her. A remorseful Simon gives Joe his prized baseball cards as an apology, to which Joe gives Simon the stuffed armadillo as forgiveness. Joe's grandmother informs Joe that her own death is imminent due to her age, and there must be a plan for him once her time comes, as Rebecca never told anyone who Joe's father was, even in confidence. Simon believes that Joe's father may have taken the baseball that killed Rebecca. Deeming their gym teacher a fitting candidate, they break into his office to see if he has it, but it isn't there. Overwhelmed with despair, Joe vandalizes the office. The police chief agrees to release them if they volunteer at the children's retreat over winter break. After they agree on the arrangement, he doesn't know whom to call to pick them up, since Simon's parents chose to let him spend the night there as a lesson. Simon has the idea to ask Ben. He then picks them up, forgives them, and takes them for ice cream. Simon tells Ben of his destiny to be a hero but admits that he doesn't know what that will imply. However, he fears it could happen momentarily, and might miss it.
Cast
Ian Michael Smith as Simon Birch, a very small preteen who was considered the smallest child in Gravestown
Joseph Mazzello as Joe Wenteworth, Simon's best friend
Jim Carrey as Adult Joe Wenteworth
Ashley Judd as Rebecca Wenteworth, Joe's mother who was the Belle of Gravestown
Oliver Platt as Ben Goodrich, a school teacher who later became Joe's adoptive father
David Strathairn as Reverend Russell, a church pastor who was Joe's biological father
Dana Ivey as Grandmother Wenteworth, Joe's grandmother
Jan Hooks as Miss Agnes Leavey, an irate Sunday School teacher
Beatrice Winde as Hilde Grove
Cecilley Carroll as Marjorie, a young lady who Simon was sweet for
Sumela-Rose Keramidopulos as Ann
Sam Morton as Stuart
John Mazzello as Simon Wenteworth, Joe's son
Holly Dennison as Mrs. Birch, Simon's mother
Peter MacNeill as Mr. Birch, Simon's father
Thomas J. Burns as Simon Birch Stunt Double
Production
Casting
The role of Simon Birch was Ian Michael Smith's first and only role in film, and he has not done film acting since. Smith was chosen because of his small height, due to Morquio syndrome. A hospital worker in Chicago suggested Smith try out for a role in the film The Mighty, another film that called for a character with Morquio syndrome. When Smith didn't get the part, the director of The Mighty recommended Smith to Mark Steven Johnson whom he knew was searching for an actor to play the titular role in an Owen Meany adaptation. After Smith's parents read through the novel A Prayer for Owen Meany they agreed to let him work on the film.
Sandra Bullock was originally cast in the role of Rebecca Wenteworth.
Locations
The bus crash scene was filmed near Ontario's French River. The film's quarry scenes were shot at Elora, Ontario. The church featured in many parts of the film is in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Its black borders were painted white for the film. At the end of the film when it switches to the future, the borders are black. The baseball scene as well as many indoor scenes were filmed in Glen Williams, Ontario.
Soundtrack
Simon Birch features R&B songs from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as four score cues by Marc Shaiman. The film's original motion picture soundtrack was released on compact disc, LP and audio cassette on April 24, 1998, through Sony Wonder, Hollywood Records and Epic Records featuring the following songs:
"You Were There" – Babyface
"Bread and Butter" – The Newbeats
"A Walkin' Miracle" – The Essex
"Mickey's Monkey" – Smokey Robinson / The Miracles
"Can I Get a Witness" – Marvin Gaye
"Fever" – Peggy Lee
"Up on the Roof" – The Drifters
"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" – James Brown
"The Nitty Gritty" – Shirley Ellis
"Nowhere to Run" – Martha and the Vandellas
"It's All Right" – The Impressions
"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" – Jackie Wilson
"Simon's Theme" – Marc Shaiman
"Friends Forever" – Marc Shaiman
"Simon's Birth" – Marc Shaiman
"Life Goes On" – Marc Shaiman
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of 32 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Overly mushy; tries too hard to pull at the heart-strings." On Metacritic, the film has a 39/100 rating, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Movie critic Gene Siskel rated it the 7th best movie of 1998. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.
The film opened at #5 at the North American box office making $3,321,370 in its opening weekend. The film would go on to gross $18,253,415 domestically, against a $20 million budget.
Home media
The film was released on VHS, LaserDisc and DVD on May 18, 1999.