Rating: 
Summary: overly melodramatic, but...
Review: Since I just finished the novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany" only yesterday, I thought I'd write a review for the movie, which I saw several years ago. While it's true that the plot of Irving's novel is oversimplified, one has to remember that a PG rating wouldn't be appropriate for a more faithful adaptation of it. I hated the character of Simon Birch from the beginning; as one other reviewer noted, he's an all-around jerk, rude, foul-mouthed, and unsympathetic to the max. However, let's not forget that the screenwriters changed the characters' names for a reason, namely, this film has to be judged separately from it's inspiration. The movie itself is not as cloying as one might expect, given the main character (Sinon's) crassness, and ultra-cynical perspective on life. In fact, he is less of a Christ-figure than his novel counterpart, less believable in the role. They didn't even make an effort to duplicate Owen's voice. But besides all these complaints, the dnding is a somewhat more realistic than that of the novel, although less powerful. It's still touching. But to all those reviewers who took issue with this movie simply because it departed so sharply and in so many places from the book, I say, "Judge this with a different scale." It's been altered for a reason.
Rating:
Summary: Who is this drastically amputated Owen Meany intended for?
Review: It's not readily apparent who this film should appeal to. There are cute kids but adult language, it's a bit nostalgic, but far less effective than "A Christmas Story", much more tragic than comic, and has a heavily foreshadowed Hollywood-esk ending. If you're seeking a thoughtful adaptation of "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving, Simon Birch will disappoint. The film only covers the first half of the book (and with much less humor than the novel). All but the essential characters and plot points are absent and for unknown reasons all of the character's names have changed. All the political and coming-of-age themes are absent in the film, and even most of the religious angles. The acting is well done. The kids are sincere and the only oddly cast actor seems to be the faithless Reverend. The movie's ending won't be a highlight for fans of the book, however it might satisfy other viewers. My guess is even they would sense something lacking in the film.
Rating: 
Summary: This is what happens when people try to adapt novels.
Review: Well lets see. First off even if youve never heard of the book this is "based" on, youll be able to geuss everything that happens at least three minutes before the "director" decides hes added enough "dramatic" pause. Nothing is really redeeming in this film other than Oliver Platts performance. If you need proof of this, look at every other charector in this movie, under developed, over acting amateurs, most notably is simon birch, obviously the casting agents were looking for size, not acting ability, in fact from his performance one could believe that the producers simply went to schools and asked the teachers "You got any midgets here?' and grabbed the first one they spotted. Jim Carrey is lucky he didnt have a bigger role in this or hed probably be shunned from hollywood forever.
Rating: 
Summary: Forced...
Review: I'm one of the people who have read A Prayer for Owen Meany before seeing this movie. As soon as I saw the credit, "SUGGESTED by a novel by John Irving," I knew I was in trouble. This is obvious, as there is no character named "Simon Birch" in the book. Is it a good adaptation of the book? No. But it is unfair to judge a movie only in comparison to its source-material. Does it stand on its own? Well...NO! Holy cow, does this film NOT know what it wants to be. It tries to be sentimental and farcical at the same time. The jokes are "punched-up" by the dopey music on the soundtrack. It falls into a category of desperately sentimental, middle-brow, coming-of-age-in-a-small-town movies. It's the type of film a sewing circle might label "nice."
Perhaps I'm being too hard on it. The film isn't awful - it's just not that good. The insult is that it was based on such a wonderful novel. Too many moments ring false and are forced for me to recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not like the book...and that's a good thing
Review: If you loved the book, this movie probably isn't for you. The book wasn't that great in the first place and would have made a lousy movie if adapted literally. The filmmakers took the the filmable parts of the book, tweeked them, and made a really sweet movie. Is it manipulative? Sure. But what's so wrong about that? It is what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything else. So, the literary purists can keep the book. I'll watch this movie over and over before I'll reread the book.
Rating:
Summary: Have the Kleenex ready
Review: I loved this movie! By now I'm sure you've read enough reviews to know what the story is about, so I'm not going to go there. I just want to say that Ian Michael Smith is incredible! He plays the role with such vitality that you wonder if he's acting at all. What I loved most about the character of Simon Birch is that he wasn't a victim. Sure, he was made fun of, but for the most part, he was a "normal" boy, with many of the same thoughts as other boys his age. Joseph Mazzello, whom you might recognize from "Jurassic Park," delivers a heart-wrenching performance at the end. Ashley Judd luminates the screen in an all too-short role, and Oliver Platt is as likable as ever. This is a wonderful movie, and sure to touch the heart of even the most stony creature.
Rating:
Summary: Very poor adaptation of the book
Review: Having been astounded by A Prayer for Owen Meany, I was hoping for a movie that would capture the spirit of the book. The book is a multi-level story covering many years and much growth and change in the two main characters, Owen and Joe. The story is so engrossing that I cried at the end, which I haven't done in many years of reading. I cared about the characters, I cared about the decisions and indecision, I cared about their struggles and their day to day ramblings.
Simon Birch does not do the story justice. As is typical the meat of the story is wiped out, and a pseudo-mythology put in its place. Yes Owen Meany (renamed Simon Birch for the movie) becomes a hero, but not at such a young age. He must suffer and grow and learn before death takes him and not in the peaceful glow of a hospital. Joe doesn't end up married with a son, and a smug, rememberance of his best friend. He has been marred by his life and is still dealing with it. Why is it that screenwriters think movie goers don't want to engage with the story and walk away thinking about what was presented to them?
If you want something that is engaging, makes you think, cry and evaluate how you're living your life, then get the book and forget this Hollywood fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: Tremendous Mix Of Triumh And Tragedy
Review: Incredibly moving and absorbing movie, at turns tragic and hilarious and riveting and inspirational. Sentimental but never maudlin, triumphant but never contrived, tragic but somehow never depressing, "Simon Birch" is a drama every bit as riveting as any horror movie, thriller, or actioneer, and at times reaching heights of comedy to match anything John Cleese has ever do done, from "Fawlty Towers" to "Fierce Creatures". Centers around the heart-capturing and unforgettable child dwarf Simon Birch (born to parents whose ludicrous embarassment at their son's physical condition blinds them to the treasure they've been given), his best friend Joseph (Joseph Mazello), Joseph's winning mother (Ashley Judd) and her enamored suitor (Oliver Platt). Perfect performances by all, with Ian Michael Smith, who plays Simon, particularly deserving of a special slot in the 'Greatest Performances Of All Time' canon. Who that ever sees this will ever forget Joseph trying to rally Simon's confidence by telling him that lots of girls like him, and Simon good-naturedly replying that yes, but only in the way girls would like a baby turtle. He sounds cheerful, but underneath...
That's just one of the eternally memorable scenes, this one happening early on. The movie's unforgettable moments are legion, and events in the latter third take a decidedly unexpected turn. Recommended to all, except very young children (due to certain emotionally traumatic scenes), but especially to fans of such winners as "Ghost", "Seven Minutes In Heaven", "E.T.", "Spirited Away", "Awakenings" and "Meet Joe Black".
Rating:
Summary: Simon Birch (1998)
Review: I was eight...maybe nine when I first saw this on VHS.
Of course, I liked it.
All in all, Simon Birch is one movie that touches a string in you somewhere but also keeps you amused with all its funny parts. I think this movie owes its poignancy on how it has shown how true friendship is as enduring as the four seasons. It makes us all believe and hope that God has,indeed,a plan for all of us and that everything happens and everyone comes for a reason.
Rating:
Summary: Fairly decent movie
Review: I'll assume you have already read enough to get the idea of what this movie is about. I have never read the book, since there appears to be a taking of sides of those who are loyal to the book and not the movie.
I thought the movie was very good. I don't see the relation of other reviewers' comparisons to "A Christmas Story." To me, it was more along the lines of "Radio Flyer." If you liked that movie, then this movie is for you.
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