X
- 1998
- PG
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 54 m
- 1998
- PG
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 54 m
Summary Even though Simon Birch is the smallest kid in town, deep down he knows that he was born to do something big. He's on a constant search to discover his destiny, but somehow manages to find nothing but trouble. (Buena Vista Pictures)
Directed By: Mark Steven Johnson
Written By: John Irving, Mark Steven Johnson
- 1998
- PG
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 54 m
- 1998
- PG
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- 1 h 54 m
Simon Birch
39
6.9
Summary Even though Simon Birch is the smallest kid in town, deep down he knows that he was born to do something big. He's on a constant search to discover his destiny, but somehow manages to find nothing but trouble. (Buena Vista Pictures)
Directed By: Mark Steven Johnson
Written By: John Irving, Mark Steven Johnson
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
39
22% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
48% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
30% Negative
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
39
22% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
48% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
30% Negative
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
Only masterful performances keep this frankly sentimental film from foundering in a sea of syrup.
This friendly, briefly exciting story (1998), inspired by John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany, achieves a nice balance between caricature and nuanced characterization and even manages not to be cloying.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 User Ratings
6.9
60% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
27% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
13% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 User Ratings
6.9
60% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
27% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
13% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
If you like tear jerkers, then this will make you ball your eyes out. Young kids who are best friends. One of them is disabled, but has more heart and courage then any one.
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The film is a feeble shadow of a book that won over even those of us who are no special fans of Irving -- it's probably his funniest, least self-conscious work.
The film does not jerk tears as much as it knocks you down and runs away with them.
This tale of faith, fate, death, and redemption is non-threatening and also non-inspiring.
This is a film whose sunny and insipid storytelling style is at odds with its material.
No doubt there are those who will deem Simon Birch ''heartwarming.'' It is exactly the kind of movie that has given that hackneyed superlative a bad name.
This is very much a family film, one with a fair dosage of sentimentality, cheese and cliche. This isn't always a bad thing and there is something somehow comforting about it, even though you can guess most of what happens. Its an easy, light watch and it won't likely offend or upset people, which is a good thing I guess. It's not exactly memorable or particularly good but its a fairly decent watch - I wouldn't outright recommend it as such but there are certainly worse films out there, so, I'll leave it up to you whether you should bother to see it or not.
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I really liked this movie, and it would have been great, but I honestly don't think the director worked hard enough. I loved the actors, and this really had potential, which is the main reason why I'm not giving this movie a bad score, and I just feel that this movie is just a disappointment.
I understand that this movie can connect to many people out there, but that doesn't mean that it is an excellent movie.
There are a lot better movies out there for everyone to watch, and I mean in all genres.
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I used to love this movie for no apparent reason at all. Watching the end credits made me love those songs played in the background. However, as time goes by, I have started to lower the score from an 8 to a 4 without any interruptions and finding its common flaws was easy enough to figure out why I lowered the score.
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[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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Awards
Young Artist Awards
• 3 Nominations
MovieGuide Awards
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
YoungStar Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
