Simon Birch

Infobox Film
name = Simon Birch


caption = "Simon Birch" theatrical poster
director = Mark Steven Johnson
producer = Roger Birnbaum, Laurence Mark
writer = Mark Steven Johnson (screenplay), John Irving (novel)
starring = Ian Michael Smith, Joseph Mazzello, Ashley Judd, Oliver Platt, Jim Carrey
music = Marc Shaiman
cinematography = Aaron E. Schneider
editing = David Finfer
distributor = Hollywood Pictures
released = 11 September, 1998 (USA)
25 June, 1999 (UK)
runtime = 113 min.
language = English
budget = $20,000,000 (estimated)
mpaa_rating = PG
imdb_id = 0124879

"Simon Birch" is a 1998 Comedy-drama film loosely based on the novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving. It was directed and written for the screen by Mark Steven Johnson. The film stars Ian Michael Smith as Simon, Joseph Mazzello as Joe, Ashley Judd, Oliver Platt and Jim Carrey. It omitted much of the latter half of the novel and altered the ending. The movie does not share the book's title at Irving's request; he did not believe that this novel could successfully be made into a film. The name "Simon Birch" was suggested by him to replace that of Owen Meany.

The film opened on September 11, 1998.cite web | title=Release dates for Simon Birch (1998) | publisher=The Internet Movie Database | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124879/releaseinfo | accessdate=2007-01-25]

ynopsis

In the title role is 12-year-old Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith), who is afflicted with Morquio syndrome, a genetic disorder which causes dwarfism. The story begins when Joe Wentworth, played by Jim Carrey, visits the grave of his childhood friend Simon Birch, whose gravestone is marked 1952-1964. Joe explains that Simon is "the reason I believe in God." This is followed by a flashback to their friendship during the early '60s.

In Gravestown, Maine, young Joe Wentworth, played by Joseph Mazzello, doesn't know who his father is, and his loving mother Rebecca (Ashley Judd) won't tell him. Joe's best buddy is young Simon Birch, born so tiny that his classmates pass him about like a "doll." Simon’s mother is shown in a flashback giving birth to him by merely sneezing, implying the labor was made so easy because of his diminutive stature. Upon seeing his infant son for the first time in the nursery and told he would not survive, Simon’s father writes him off, thus beginning his lifetime of neglect. Ignored at home, Simon turns to Rebecca as a mother, and he often has dinner with the Wentworths.

The main plot hovers about the life of 12 year-old Joe who does not know who his father is. For some time he has been the butt of jokes and scorn in their small town, but his mother has not revealed the identity of her lover whom she met years ago on a train. Life-long pal Simon, also 12 but with the eccentricities of someone much older, decides he will help Joe find his father. We are also informed of Simon's deep-seated belief that God put him here for a purpose, that because of his faith, Simon would cope with his dwarfism and overcome people's blindness. Simon would become a hero.

These two early adolescents quickly endear themselves to the viewer. Although their routine is typical - playing baseball, racing to the creek for a swim, discussing girls - the script (by Mark Steven Johnson) has them perform these growing up tasks with quirky originality. Simon's self-deprecating humor is especially charming. He one-ups Joe in physical comparisons, though he goes for the smaller instead of the superior. He accepts playing the Baby Jesus because he is the only student who will fit in the crib. And he rides in a wooden Coca-Cola crate rigged up as a sidecar to Joe's bike. Part of Rebecca Wentworth’s importance is serving as Simon's surrogate mom, one who cares about the boy - unlike his real parents, who permit Simon to live with them but are otherwise uninvolved. Ben Goodrich, the drama teacher played by Oliver Platt, begins to date Rebecca. Joe initially resents him, and Ben tries to win the boy over with goofy gifts and behaviors. During a baseball game Simon is given his first chance at swinging the bat instead of standing at the plate waiting for the guaranteed walk and he gets the first hit of his life, a foul ball that strikes and kills Rebecca Wentworth. Joe does not hate Simon for this turn of events because he understands that Simon has also lost his mother figure in Rebecca, but Simon himself is wrought with guilt and begs God for forgiveness. Later that winter, Simon proves himself when he risks his life to save a bus full of children which has crashed into a freezing lake. After saving the children, Simon is sent to the hospital and later dies.

The film ends, bringing us back to the beginning where an older Joe Wentworth is looking at Simon's gravestone. He makes a comment to his son that Simon mentioned to him earlier in the movie and the film ends.

Cast

*Ian Michael Smith as Simon Birch: This was Ian Michael Smith's first and only role in film. He was chosen due to his small height caused by Morquio syndrome. His role in this film was suggested by a hospital worker in Chicago. After his parents read through the novel ("A Prayer for Owen Meany") they agreed to let him work on the film.
*Joseph Mazzello as Joe Wentworth: Having previously worked on "The Cure" and "Radio Flyer" (these were both dramatic roles) this was another role he could undertake. His character is seen as a friendly boy who enjoys baseball and hanging out with his friend, Simon Birch.
*Ashley Judd as Rebecca Wentworth: Ashley was cast as Joe's mother, Rebecca Wenteworth. Originally, Sandra Bullock was considered to take the role. Her character is caring, loving and supportive.
*Oliver Platt as Ben Goodrich: Oliver was cast as Ben who falls in love with Rebecca on a train. As Rebecca has had other men in the past, Joe is certain that he is not worthy of her. Eventually, he finds out Ben to be a true caring person for his mother and himself.
*Jim Carrey as Joe Wentworth (Grown Up): Jim Carrey plays Joe as a grown up at the end of the film. He has a brief apperance, he is shown at Simon's grave, remembering all the times he had with Simon.

Production

The bus crash scene was filmed near Ontario's French River. The film's quarry scenes were shot at Elora, Ontario. The church featured in many parts of the film is in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Its black borders were painted white for the film. At the end of the film when it switches to the future, the borders are black.cite web | title=Filming Locations for Simon Birch (1998) | publisher=The Internet Movie Database | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124879/releaseinfo | accessdate=2007-01-25]

VHS/DVD release

The film was released on VHS on November 2, 1999 and on DVD in 2002 (Region 1). The region 1 DVD contains a theatrical trailer.

oundtrack

Simon Birch features many songs from the 50s and 60s era. Babyface had written "You Were There" for the film. It was used in the ending credits and a music video was produced.cite web | title=mvdbase.com - Babyface - "You were there" | publisher=mvdbase.com | url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=2143 | accessdate=2007-01-23] There were also four scores by Marc Shaiman. Not all scores are available on the soundtrack, however.

The film's OST was released with the following songs (available on CD and cassette):
#"You Were There" - Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
#"Bread and Butter" - The Newbeats
#"A Walkin' Miracle" - The Essex*
#"Mickey's Monkey" - Smokey Robinson / The Miracles
#"Can I Get a Witness" - Marvin Gaye
#"Fever" - Peggy Lee
#"Up on the Roof" - The Drifters
#"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (Part 1)" - James Brown
#"The Nitty Gritty" - Shirley Ellis*
#"Nowhere to Run" - Martha and the Vandellas
#"It's All Right" - The Impressions
#"(Your Love Keeps Me) Higher And Higher" - Jackie Wilson*
#"Simon's Theme" - Marc Shaiman
#"Friends Forever" - Marc Shaiman
#"Simon's Birth" - Marc Shaiman
#"Life Goes On" - Marc Shaiman

*This song was not featured in the film.

Other songs featured in the film but not on the soundtrack are listed below:
*"For Your Love" - Ed Townsend
*"Peter Gunn Theme" - Henry Mancini
*"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" - Patti LaBelle

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0124879|title=Simon Birch
* [http://www.edmundbrownless2.de/simonbirch.html The Bell Ringer in "Simon Birch"]

Resources

* [http://www.google.co.uk/movies/reviews?cid=bee374e326c52f13&fq=film:+simon+birch Reviews]
* [http://www.eonline.com/shared/Eonline/Reviews/Movies/Clips/s/simon_birch.mov Trailer]