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A previewed look at SIMON BIRCH
SPOILER ALERT !!
Folks, I've seen SIMON BIRCH...it was called A SMALL MIRACLE when I saw it and I loved it. It's a damn solid film, though THE MIGHTY is still far better in my opinion. It's based on the incredibly loved A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY, a book many of you seem to love, but that I have not read, though I had heard of it. Jim Carrey has an ongoing narration that is top notch, and the film just works on multiple levels. But enough, I'll write my review when the time arises, I'm still working up a couple of major pieces still, so I have to pass on writing about it for now, but here's what this spy had to say...
I don't seem to recall any mention of Simon Birch on your website (of which
i am regular reader, but never until now a contributor). Saw it yesterday
at a preview here in Chicago. Since it is one of those minor gems that
tend to get overlooked, I thought I might send my review in.
"Simon Birch" is a bittersweet coming of age story. While definitely not
one of the best examples of the genre, it is worth checking out for some
good performances and a reasonably good screenplay. The first delightful
surprise comes right at the beginning with Jim Carrey as old Joe at the
tombstone of his childhood friend "Simon Birch". No spoilers here as we
immediately learn that Simon dies at age 12 and was responsible for both
the death of Joe's mom and for Joe's faith in God. The rest of the movie
is told in flashback and narrated by Jim Carrey.
Simon Birch is one of the smallest persons ever born and is frequently
ridiculed by the other kids. His own parents do not care for him. Joe is
the bastard child of Rebecca (Ashley Judd) who refuses to tell anyone who
the father of Joe is. Joe and Simon are both outsiders and that is the
bond between them. The movie details how Simon influences Joe's life, not
just by helping him find his father (both physical and spiritual) but also
by giving him faith. The movie is based on the book "A prayer for Owen
Meany" (I have not read the book).
What is impressive about the movie is the way it deals with faith. True,
it is mostly "Hollywood Faith" in the sense it is more secular than
Christian even though the church is used as a backdrop. But Simon's faith
that he is on earth for a specific purpose and that God intends him to be
hero is what gives this coming of age story a nice edge. I would have
preferred the screenplay to be a little less obvious (the ending is pretty
much telegraphed half way through the movie) but all things considered was
not bad.
The acting was mostly good with strong supporting performances by Ashley
Judd (wish there was more of her), Oliver Platt (as brilliant as ever) and
surprise, surprise Jim Carrey. He's onscreen for about 2 minutes, but
provides the narration throughout the movie. He proves once again that
he's an incredible dramatic talent. I can't wait to see him as Andy
Kaufman. The two kids playing Joe and Simon are very good, especially Ian
Micheal smith as the title character. He has a very keen sense of comic
timing and got several laughs from a receptive audience.
Mark Johnson (Grumpy Old Men and its sequel) did a decent job as a
director. While his tendency to push emotional buttons a little too hard
is regrettable, he has a deft comic touch which really helps move the story
along.
Overall, i would say this is a movie worth seeing with a crowd.
Grade : B-
-Sunil.
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+ Expand All
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I win R2-D2 in "Simon Birch: Episode I" in a "pod race". You know, Jim Carrey "did" me up the ass every day he was on the set. It was a blast.
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I scour the newspapers on a daily basis trying to find word of advance test screenings of films. Where on earth do you find word of such events in the Chicagoland area? Could someone please respond?
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First a word to Shrimp: Ya, so great i can support the little people. Kudos for me. :)
On test screenings: When i went to see the test screening of Antz, they handed out passes at the opening night of Armageddon to the people who went to see the late show. It seemed kind of random. I think the reason they don't advertise 'test' screenings is because the response is huge. We got there almost an hour early, and the theatre was almost half-way full. It was completely full a half hour before showtime. Once more, you had to have the pass they handed out and sign waivers to be admitted.
Getting into screeners has a lot to do with luck and 'right place right time' than keeping your eyes open. At least that is my experience
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I was also in the Chicago screening for Simon Birch and I wonder if Sunil was watching the same movie as I. B-? Simon Birch is the best film I have seen all year! The audience roared with laughter and then wept openly at the end. I heard talk of Oscars leaving the theatre.
Obviously, this is a sentimental movie and not for the cynical at heart. Simon makes the grade with an A+!
Also, Harry, could you please cool it on the idiot letters talking about taking it up the ass, etc.? Your site is better than that... -
Reading the various reviews by people who have seen the flick, I guarantee you that the movie is a betrayal to the novel and any correlation should be responded to with lawsuits. John Irving demanded that the title and characters names be changed from the book. because it was untrue to the story of Owen Meany. I hope that the discussion of this movie centers on Simon Birch and not Owen Meany. Kubrick should be the one to tackle the TRUE Owen Meany!
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Movies based on books are almost always a disappointment to those who loved the book and often to the book's author too. They frequently aren't true to the book, too many changes to make readers & authors happy; it's got to be expected.
I loved "A Prayer for Owen Meany" but I'm still looking forward to seeing this one. The previews intrigued me & I didn't realize until I read this site that it was supposed to be based on Owen.
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Thanks for your post, but I was looking for something a bit more specific. I understand the process of test screenings. It's just that I was wondering which theatres are more prone to do them in the Chicagoland area. Most times I stick to the theatres on the north suburban side of the city. My hunch is that its the theatres down on Michigan Ave. or thereabouts that tend to do the test screenings. Am I right? Of course, that's kind of a sad thing to admit. Because people who head down to the Michigan Ave. screenings tend to be a tad more affluent (gotta shell out those $8-$10 parking fees for the ol' Land Cruiser), the test screening folks aren't really getting a very accurate response from "middle America". Just my $.02.
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I have read A Prayer for Owen Meany and can not begin to imagine a movie based on this marvlous book. Especially with JIM CAREY! My advice to everyone reading these reviews, read the book. John Irving can't be experienced at the movies. I've seen some traliors for this Simon Birch or whatever its called and too many mistakes have already been made.
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I doubt they are mistakes when the director changes certain things in movies. They're just plain old changes which the director believes, although he is almost always wrong, would make the movie better. A lot of people hate "The Lost World" but they don't know how amazing the book is. My current fear is that Griffin Dunne is going to massacre my favorite book of all time, "Practical Magic" although it looks promising.
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Dear Harry Knowles:
I've been a fan of your site since early in 97 (March?). I have written to ask that you eliminate the talkback section of your site, and in its place post public comments that have been screened by you or someone you trust. The remarks that are made in this forum are, more than not, juvenille, unfounded, and for the most part, unimportant. Return this site to its former glory.
A loyal fan -
I saw the Austin sneak preview of this movie and I have to say a few words of warning to anyone who is thinking about seeing this film.
To give you a reference point the strongest films of this summer for me have been, Bulworth, Hands on a Hard Body, Saving Private Ryan, and most recently Safe Men and Blade. (Blade is just fun.)
With that being said "Simon Birch" was a total dissapointment. I haven't walked out of a movie since high school, but I walked out of this one.
It had nothing original about it. From the "Forrest Gump" rip off muscial score to the "Breaking Away" swimming scenes, it seemed to be harvested from scraps of other movies. The worst part was that it kept trying to drag every emotional response out of you. Each scene seemed to be saying "O.K. this is the sad part, feel sad and NOW is the funny part, laught at Simon's little wise cracks!" If this is the kind of supreme sap you love in your movies this one is not to be missed.
The only two bright points of the movie were Ashley Judd (usually good) and Oliver Platt (always Excellent).
I am sure that the identity of the one boys father is discovered and that there is a scene where Simon kicks the bucket that will yell "Look, poor little Simon died, hurry up and cry already!" but i'll never truly know and y'know I really don't care. -
How dare someone come in here and say that someone had sex with them like "Simon Birch" posted...moderate your freakin' site!!!
dari
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Speaking of movies based on John Irving novels, I remember hearing about some action happening around "The Cider House Rules". I wonder if AICN has heard anything about it. Oh, and BTW, what's the deal with the title "Simon Birch"? Why not just "A Prayer for Owen Meany"? Too religious for Hollywood? Why not just shorten it to "Owen Meany" then? Last name too negative for those Hollywood second guessers? Feh!
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I can not wait to see this film. I am a huge fan of Forrest Gump and I think this is going to be a "Gumpish" movie.
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