Simon Birch (1998)

CinemaSource
details
Rating: PG
Release Date: Sep 11, 1998
Running Time: 113 mins.
Country Of Origin: United States
synopsis
Simon Birch was the smallest delivery ever recorded in the history of Gravestown memorial hospital. The doctors proclaimed Simon a miracle, and ever since he's been quick to remind anyone who forgets. Simon's certain he's gonna be a hero... he's just not sure how. In the meantime, he argues about faith with his tyrannical Sunday school teacher and by-the-Book priest, rides sidecar on the bike of his best friend Joe, and plays lazy afternoon baseball games (with the advantage of having the tiniest strike zone in the league). But fate takes an unexpected turn when Simon gets his first hit: a high foul ball with tragic consequences. From then, the destinies of the two boys become linked as both try to find one thing they're missing. For Joe, it's the identity of his father. For Simon, it's the special purpose God has in mind that only a small miracle like himself can fulfill.
cast + crew
2nd unit director
2nd unit director
Simon Birch
Joe Wenteworth
Rebecca Wenteworth
Ben Goodrich
Reverend Russell
Grandmother Wenteworth
Hildie Grove
Miss Leavey
Marjorie
screenplay
Novel as Source Material
Screenplay
Producer
Producer
Co-Producer
Executive Producer
Associate Producer
reviews
Source
December 8, 2000
Simon Birch

796 10-1-98
An unbilled Jim Carrey shows up in a New Hampshire cemetery for a cameo as Joe, the narrator of this tale of childhood bonds. The young Joe (Joseph Mazzello) sticks by his dwarfish pal Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith), even when Simon accidentally kills Joe's mother (the luminous Ashley Judd) with a foul ball he hits at a Little League game.


Wait up. Fate, freaks, friends -- this sounds like a film version of John Irving's 1989 novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany. It was, until… Continued