Simon Birch (1998) on Netflix
Simon Birch is the smallest child in Gravestown, sure God made him for a heroic purpose. His best friend Joe Wenteworth seeks his father, and Joe's mother will not name him.
- Netflix3.7/5
- IMDb6.8/1023,155 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes44%
Trailer
Plot summary
Gravestown, in the summer of 1964, is home to Simon Birch, the smallest child the town has ever seen, whose parents take almost no interest in him. He believes God intends him for a heroic purpose. His closest friend, Joe Wenteworth, is the illegitimate son of Rebecca Wenteworth, the town beauty, who met his father on a train and has never told anyone who he was. Simon gets few chances to play in Little League games, and at church he questions Reverend Russell and argues with Miss Leavey, his Sunday school teacher, until Rebecca speaks up for him. When Rebecca invites Ben Goodrich, a drama teacher, to dinner, Simon likes him right away, while Joe stays wary and keeps looking for his father.
Cast
- Cecilley Carrollas Marjorie
- Sumela-Rose Keramidopulosas Ann
- Sam Mortonas Stuart
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Simon Birch (1998)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- John Irving asked that the film not share his book's title because he did not believe his novel could successfully be made into a film, and he suggested the name "Simon Birch" himself to replace that of Owen Meany.
- Ian Michael Smith, who plays Simon, was chosen for his small height, due to Morquio syndrome; he had tried out for The Mighty, another film calling for a character with the condition, and when he missed that part its director recommended him to Mark Steven Johnson.
- The role of Simon Birch was Ian Michael Smith's first and only role in film, and he has not done any film acting since.
- Although Metacritic's 39/100 rating indicated generally unfavourable reviews, critic Gene Siskel rated Simon Birch the seventh best movie of 1998, and audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it an average grade of A.
