Simon Birch

Name: Simon Birch
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: September 11, 1998
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 39
Cast: Ian Michael Smith, Joseph Mazzello

1998

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	Your Score
6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: September 11, 1998 | PG

Starring: Ian Michael Smith, Joseph Mazzello

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)

Director: Mark Steven Johnson

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 114 min

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Critic Reviews

Hollis Chacona

Only masterful performances keep this frankly sentimental film from foundering in a sea of syrup. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Either you stand back and resist it, or you plunge in. There was something about its innocence and spunk that got to me, and I caved in. Read full review

Lisa Alspector

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. Read full review

Peter Travers

Admirers of Irving's sprawling tome are sure to find Birch a botch. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

It allows for little of the dark and funny in Irving's picaresque morality fable. No room! Not with the buckets of bathos thrown our way, substituting for mass-market spiritual uplift! Read full review

Stephen Hunter

A magical child movie in which the child is magical, yes, but the movie is not. Read full review

Stephen Holden

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. Read full review

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User Reviews

NancyB.

Mar 24, 2008

I absolutely loved the movie, I watched it, next day showed it to my sister and mother, watched it with them, then a few days later, I watched it with my husband, and I will probably watch it again, I recorded it so that I can watch while everyone is at work and school. This is the only I absolutely loved the movie, I watched it, next day showed it to my sister and mother, watched it with them, then a few days later, I watched it with my husband, and I will probably watch it again, I recorded it so that I can watch while everyone is at work and school. This is the only movie that I have ever been able to watch over two times without getting bored with it. If 20 had been the very best score, I would have chosen it. Simon did an absolutely superb job or Ian Michael I should say, on his part. Nancy Barnes… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

RLB1024

Jan 5, 2014

This is a perfect blend of humor and a touching story that illustrates that every person has a unique purpose regardless of their physical attributes.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DawdlingPoet

Jul 27, 2022

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,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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Sosmooth1982

Jan 11, 2023

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rhapsody

Apr 26, 2013

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 aI 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.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

EpicLadySponge

Mar 17, 2016

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 figureI 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.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MaxOakland

Dec 24, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just an utterly trash film. My parent made me watch this as a kid and it always bothered me that the mom died for such a stupid reason. Everything about it is crass, manipulative, and dishonest… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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70	#70 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
96	#96 Most Shared Movie of 1998