Simon Birch
- Ian Michael Smith: Simon Birch
- Joseph Mazzello Joseph "Joe" Wenteworth
- Ashley Judd: Rebecca Wenteworth
- Oliver Platt: Ben Goodrich
- David Strathairn: Rev. Russell
- Dana Ivey: grandmother Wenteworth
- Jim Carrey: The adult Joe
- John Mazzello: Simon Wenteworth
- Beatrice Winds: Hilde Grove
Simon Birch is a tragicomedy film from 1998, based on the novel Owen Meany ( A Prayer for Owen Meany ) of the American novelist John Irving. The film sometimes ran in Germany also under the titles over armadillos, Simon and me and Simon Birch - A little hero and his extraordinary destiny and Simon Birch - 's Hero!
Action
The film begins in 1964. Simon Birch is a very small boy, which is not taken from his surroundings, including his parents, seriously. He is mocked and pushed around. Nevertheless, he is of the firm conviction that God had made him the way he is, that he will bring an exploit fully one day.
Only in Joe Wenteworth, a neighbor boy, who is also introverted, Simon finds a friend with whom he roam the forests and to adventure. The identity of Joe's father only knows Rebecca, his mother, who never surrenders.
One day Simon meets the baseball game over the ball and then Joe's mother meets Rebecca, which dies as a result. The two boys then begin to question life, and to discover a meaning in it.
Together they account for, among others, on the search for Joe's father and only in the course of time, the two recognize that it was fate that they know each other and may have learned and have to end up even put their friendship to the test, as Simon in the rescue of children Scout loses his life, but it fulfills its purpose.
Background information
Shot with a budget of 20 million U.S. dollars on location in Canada, the film tries to convey that not the body size is important in order to be a hero, but that inner strength and size is needed to effect much can. Topics such as fate, tolerance or equality are discussed.
A similar story also have the American feature film The Mighty - Together they are strong and the German film The Tin Drum.
The role of Joe's mother, who took over in the film Ashley Judd, Sandra Bullock had initially meant to embody.
Reviews
- Cinema described the film as " touching with the beloved characters " and as " bittersweet underdog story."
Film Awards
Awards
- A BFCA Award (best child actor: Ian Michael Smith)
- A Young Star Award (best young leading actor Joseph Mazzello )
Nomination
- Three times Young Artist Award Best Family Film
- Best youthful protagonist: Joseph Mazzello
- Best youthful protagonist: Ian Michael Smith