[.ca] Simon Birch (Widescreen) (ISBN 0788815466)

From Amazon.com:
This screen adaptation of John Irving's novel A Prayer for Owen Meany was appreciated much more by audiences than by the majority of disapproving critics. Irving's books have fared only moderately well on film, and while The World According to Garp garnered critical praise, The Hotel New Hampshire was waiting in the wings to counteract the fanfare. Simon Birch is one of those nostalgic movies--determined to view the past in rose-colored hues--despite the fact that its protagonist, a dwarf named Simon Birch, is wholeheartedly unsympathetic. The film opens weepily, with Jim Carrey as the adult version of the film's main character and narrator, Joe Wenteworth (played as a youth by the serious young actor Joseph Mazzello). He's mourning at the grave of his best childhood friend, Simon Birch, with whom he had bonded instantly because both were misfits--one a dwarf, the other illegitimate. The deck is stacked from the beginning, especially when the camera dwells on Joe's luscious mom, Rebecca (Ashley Judd), who refuses to reveal the identity of Joe's father, which in turn urges Simon and Joe to embark on a quest to discover Joe's paternity. In a plot point that resembles The Scarlet Letter, the tide of fate turns on the "immoral" mom just as she's on the verge of finding true love with a decent fellow (played by Oliver Platt). Simon Birch ultimately descends into crudeness, though it asks the audience to continue to engage with its crass lead character. By the end, the film is reduced to drivel, cliché, and melodrama to tug our heartstrings into submission. All the things that should have been the film's focus--guilt, self-loathing, and redemption--remain elusive. --Paula Nechak

A Must Have for Every Family Movie Collection:
My children and I laughed a cried throughout this whole movie. With so much sex and violence out there, it's hard to find a good family movie... This is a great movie. It's well acted, has a great plot and a great message of love in every form. You have to get this movie.

Who is this drastically amputated Owen Meany intended for?:
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.

Another Irving movie:
People often say that the book is better than the movie, and it holds true again with 'Simon Birch', the movie version of his novel 'A Prayer for Owen Meany'. Owen Meany may be his best book ever because it is so rich with biblical themes. In the movie these come back, but of course not in full detail. Time does not permit it. It's still an interesting story and funny at times. You have to be really carefull in listening to the things that are said because they are all important. Simon (God knows why they changed his name for the movie, you would guess that more people would recognize a movie with the same title as the book) is a dwarf with a weird voice. His best friend's mother is his psychological mother too. The mother (Judd) is very pretty and nice. Through a strange accident she dies and a new person comes in Joe's and Owen's life, his mother;s boyfriend Ben (the always great Oliver Platt). A search for Joe's father ensues and he finally finds out... Not as funny as 'Garp' or as good as 'Cider House Rules' I am afraid only real Irving fans will enjoy the movie.

An insult to a fabulous book:
Owen Meany is one of my absolute favorite books. Seeing this movie left me stunned. How could anyone destroy John Irving's wonderful story? Other than a few individual scenes, this movie has none of the spirit, power, or story of the book. Consider that Irving wanted his name completely removed from this project and that should tell you something about the quality of this film.

Unbelieveable:
Like most of the people who read the book first, I think this movie could not have sucked more. It sucked, sucked, SUCKED. If you have ever read the book, save yourself the trouble. If you've never read the book, well, read the book. This movie sucks.