"Does God have a plan for us?"
SIMON BIRCH (PG-13) 
Reviewed September 12, 1998 - Check out the Simon Birch Website.
Told almost entirely as a flashback to 1964, Simon Birch follows the adventures of two twelve-year old boys living in a small town in Maine. Joe Wenteworth (Joseph Mazzello) is the son of a young unmarried woman (Ashley Judd) who refuses to reveal his father's identity. Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith) is a keenly intelligent boy who suffers from dwarfism. Each in their own way are outcasts in the town (one considered a bastard and the other considered some sort of strange "creature"), but the two boys are best friends. It is a strong and intriguing friendship, as we see the boys struggle through both the mundane and the unordinary moments of their lives in the Fall and Winter of 1964. Outspoken Simon, who firmly believes that he is an instrument of God, finds himself searching for his purpose in life. Joe, who after a freak accident is forced to deal with the death of his mother, is also on a search--for his father.
Directed by Mark Steven Johnson and "suggested by" John Irving's novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany," Simon Birch is an odd mix of small town sentimentality, bittersweet humor and philosophical drama. Unfortunately, it is also a film of unfulfilled potential. With a story, characters, and issues that clearly carry the seeds of a wonderfully rich film, Simon Birch instead disappoints with overdoses of melodrama and a somewhat formulaic feel. What you get is a film that, instead of being genuinely heartwarming and enlightening, feels slightly manipulative and overstaged. The filmmakers' handling of Simon's foul ball incident and the Christmas play fiasco are just two samples of this quality in Simon Birch. It's a shame really, particularly given the likeable cast (including Oliver Platt and an uncredited Jim Carrey) assembled for this motion picture. The end result is a film that is interesting but not always engaging, dramatic but not always compelling, and thought-provoking but not always satisfying.
Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!
lil_blink_chick6969@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
watched this movie with my grade 7 class last year! It was one of the best
movies i have ever seen and had the best young acting ive seen in along
time!!!!!! How old are the boys?????" (10/14/01)
babiepochacco6@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "(
Y ) ('.') (o)(o)the movie was dramatic and so funny, it shows you what
friendship means..and if by any chance-just by that 1% chance joesph or
ian reads this..u guys are so cute!!o(^_^)o this was my favourite movie!
i watched it with my best friend and we cried!!!i hope they make another
movie like this..to.::IAN MICHEAL SMITH::.(>'')>-{--@ a rose for
your preformance!@--}-<(''<) make that 2. " (9/30/01)
anonymous entry gives this movie stars.
(8/31/01)
rain_gurl_2007 gives this movie stars:
"i love this show its my favortiset show" (8/5/01)
filmgc@tm.net.my
gives this movie stars: "I
love this film. I admire genuine friendship and Simon Birch is trully a
good one. Ian Michael Smith --- "you're excellent". Every single
gestures of him in this film was briiliant. Just wonder whether Ian has
an e-mail address. Hoping to send him a message if possible. Thanks. " (8/4/01)
teenage_dirtbag@eminem.com
gives this movie stars: "Simon
Birch is the best movie that i ever seen...it was kinda sad story...it
makes me cry....!!" (7/31/01)
als98@thomas.bennett.w-sussex.sch.uk
gives this movie stars: "This
movie is the best!!! I've seen it so many times I know the whole script
by heart.Joseph Mazzello is my favourite actor and his fan page is great.I
want to know why there isnt a fan page for Ian micheal Smith.I also want
to know how old Joseph Mazzello is!!!" (7/9/01)
CricketSable9280 gives this movie stars: "I
love Joseph Mazzello in this sensational film I wanna be an actress and
man they make me one to be one even more each day! When I see him act so
brilliantly, and to top it off you and Ian Micheal Smith did GREAT (TOGETHER)
than ever keep it rockin and never stop.....bYe! See yah someday!" (6/4/01)
karen_24@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
loved this movie. It was the most touching and sad movie. The acting was
great.It is one of the best movies I've seen. Just one question...how old
is Joseph Mazello?" (5/27/01)
daviric@excite.com
gives this movie stars: "Joseph
Mazzello is great, the performance that he makes in this film is the better
that I've seen in a young actor." (12/6/00)
jewelwee78@yahoo.com says: "I really love this one. It's kinda cool... very very good movie i've ever seen... " (9/18/00)
Jen92784@excite.com
gives this movie stars: "Simon
Birch is one of my favorite movies. Joseph Mazzello and Ian Michael Smith
acted brilliantly, and I was completely moved. Joseph Mazzello is the best
actor in the world, and I wish that more people could appreciate his God-given
talent. I love you Joseph!" (8/17/00)
westcia@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
saw the movie and cried like I've never cried before. I can't understand
how some people can hate it. It is a wonderful and meaningful story about
friendship and kindness and love, qualities which are sadly lacking in
our society today! I want to know why there isn't a Fan Club for IAN MICHAEL
SMITH. Does anyone know how I can contact him or at least send him a message?
I would really appreciate it.I am from Malaysia and many of my family members
and friends love the movie too.I even bought the video!" (7/5/00)
Sarah gives this movie stars: "This
movie was wonderful!!! I love Joseph, and Ian did a great job playing a
really hard but cute character. This movie is a great movie if you like
sad and cute movies!!! 2 Thumbs Up you guys!!!" (10/20/99)
lemonkitty9@aol.com
gives this movie stars:
"I think Ian Smith is a brave person and inspiring person. I even
had the chance to meet him at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He is so cool.
:-)" (10/11/99)
jlfrance@netzero.net
gives this movie stars: "I
love this movie, it is one of the best movies ever made. It was funny and
sad all in one. I love the babyface song "you were there" Its
really touching and has great vocals!" (10/6/99)
fettman5@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
loved this movie! Its one of my favorites!! It's funny, yet sad. Once you've
watched it, it makes you want to see it again." (9/21/99)
rvallefuoco@netera.com
gives this movie stars: "I
loved the movie! It was the funnest and sadest movie I ever saw!I hope
everyone will see it. I hope you like it it is great!" (9/21/99)
jsalaman@bigpond.com
gives this movie stars: "A
beautiful movie for the whole family. It will baffle,challenge, sadden
and delight. Stunning performances by all actors. I have seen it many times
already..Have just bought it on DVD and have recommended it to all my friends.
DO NOT MISS!!!!!!!" (9/18/99)
scott.lantz@gte.net
gives this movie stars: "I
thought the move was outstanding " (8/15/99)
sumbler@forterie.com
gives this movie stars: "I
loved Simon Birch. It was sad and it was funny. I could watch it over
and over again. The actors made it so real. Ian Michael Smith is such a
little cutie and Joseph Mazzello is sssssoooooooo hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (7/31/99)
Sklaw_Aras@yahoo.com
gives this movie stars: "I
loved Simon Birch, I think it is a wonderful movie. I'm a big fan of Joseph
Mazzello's, as well as Oliver Platt, they are both awesome actors. I've
recommended this movie to all of my friends. To everyone who hated this
movie, you truly have no heart. -Sara" (7/21/99)
estelle@wellness-resources.com
gives this movie stars: "Excellent,
funny, thought-provoking - extremely worthwhile. How can I find out more
info about the young man who played the title role?" (7/17/99)
star_69@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
think this movie sucked but It was good becuase I think Joseph mazzello
is "hot"" (7/17/99)
wasmer@tcei.com gives
this movie stars: "I
thought That Simon Birch at the beginning was funny and at the end I cried
and I could not stopI loved that movie--from, Nicole Wasner" (7/16/99)
gotohades@hotmail.com
gives this movie star: "If
1 star is as low as i can for this crap movie. All it is, is about a horny
retard kid. It's pretty stupid and i hope this retard never makes another
movie!!!!!" (7/16/99)
cocouh2@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
was a very touching story, starring my favorite young actor, Joseph Mazello.
This movie combined a good screenplay with good actors to make a wonderful
movie. Though this movie is sad, the actors mad it believable." (7/15/99)
Adam gives this movie star: "Simon
Birch is the gayest movie I've ever seen ! it's soooooooo stupid and gay
!" (7/14/99)
sneaky105@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "I
would have to say that, that is one of the most adorable flims I do feel
bad though for Ian because I feel his littleness kinda limits his roles.
But I have heard that he is in another movie and Iam sure that movie will
be great also! Hope everyone has a lovely day/night and thanks for reading
my review. Tara" (7/12/99)
dundas4ever@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "Simon
Birch is an excellent movie it was funny and sad and Joseph Mazzello was
very hot in it he made it an even better movie." (7/10/99)
MYSTWV@juno.com gives
this movie stars: "I
loved this movie. i liked it because it was pretty close to being a true
story." (7/5/99)
looneytoon9@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "It
was a great movie! I have watched it 4 times. I just got done watching
it for the fourth time. This movie is one of the best movies in the world.
It has to do a little bit with the movie The Cure. Because it's about friendship
and and one of them is very sick and dies. I give it five stars because
it's a great movie about friendship." (7/4/99)
Stormy425@juno.com
gives this movie stars: "This
is a sad movie, but very touching. I think it teaches us a good lesson.
And Joe is very cute!!!" (7/3/99)
soul719@aol.com gives
this movie stars: "Absolutely
wonderful. Its the kind of movie that places me right inside of it. I was
unable to be anywhere but right aside of the characters, and that is truely
something!" (4/24/99)
hmccorvey@tyler.net
gives this movie stars: "Simon
Birch is an instant classic. This is a movie for the whole family to enjoy.
This movie touches on some of the most emotionally moving aspects of everyday
life including religion, peer pressure, poverty and crime-and-retribution.
My whole family left the theater in tears! This is the first movie to make
me cry since Dances with Wolves." (2/4/99)
amerfc@aol.com gives
this movie stars: "Simon
Birch was one of the best movies I have ever seen. Its comical and absolutely
sad sides made the movie extremely creative. From the middle of the movie
to the end, I cried and cried and cried........ I have never cried so much
in one movie before, but I loved it!" (11/15/98)
Marco gives this movie stars: "I
thought this movie was just wonderful. I went to see it twice, and from
the moment of Joe's mother's death, I had a lump in my throat. This movie
is sad, yet hillarious!" (11/13/98)
clover103@hotmail.com
gives this movie stars: "This
was the most beautiful movie I have ever seen in my whole life. It was
sad yet heartwrming. It was a wonderful experience." (10/27/98)
andersch@eglin.af.mil
gives this movie stars: "I've
seen it twice. It was very funny and sad." (9/23/98)
