Harry here, and I want you to pay attention to the title SIMON BIRCH. This movie is fantastic. I happened to have seen it, and I'll be writing up a review real soon, but I must say that the title character is absolutely magical. He'll work his way into your psyche. Ah heck, enough, I'll let this cool dude tell ya...
Okay, I am a first time scooper for your website, so this is indeed an honor. I've notice that there are no reports on your site about the upcoming Simon Birch (it opens September 11th). And I guess I can't blame you or anyone else for not trying to get info on it--it's not a big event picture with massive special effects. Well, I just saw a preview screening for it today (Friday, August 7th) and knew immediately that I had to get the word out! My reaction to the film can be summed up by saying this: If Saving Private Ryan had not been released this year, Simon Birch would be wearing the crown for 1998's best film. This is a magical, thoroughly impressive accomplishment by veteren screenwriter but first time director Mark Steven Johnson. It is a cinematic fable with the power to change a person's life. To give you an idea of what it's about, let me quote a Hollywood Pictures press release that gave it's premise:
From the day he was born, Simon Birch was different. No bigger than a baby bird, the doctors predicted that he'd never last the night. But he did. Then they said he'd never last the week. But he did. Weeks turned into months and months turned into years, until Simon grew into a boy with an unwavering belief that God had a special plan for him-that He had made him this small for a reason.
The film stars newcomer Ian Michael Smith as Simon and Joseph Mazzello as his friend, Joe Wenteworth. Smith is the heart and soul of the film and Mazzello proves he is the best child actor since Elijah Wood. If the Academy can find it in their minds to eliminate age barriers, Mazzello will get a nomination. Other great performances come from Ashley Judd, Jan Hooks, Oliver Platt (much better here than the overrated Bulworth) and David Strathairn. Along with Mazzello, Strathairn clearly deserves to be recognized by the Academy for his work in this film. It is a film that will make you laugh out loud on many occasions as well as make you weep. The film shows us that it isn't so much life's victories as it is life's tragedies that reveal the existence of God.
Every year, there is one sleeper that I end up rooting for when Oscar nominations are announced. Last year it was Mrs. Brown (my desires were not rewarded). The year before, Fargo (my desires were rewarded). This year it will be Simon Birch.
If all of this doesn't sell you on it, then maybe this will: the film is a narrative told by the grown-up Joe Wenteworth. He is retelling the story of his childhood friend Simon Birch. The adult Joe is a character that we only physically see twice, and just hear his voice from time to time as he narrates. In essence, it's a very small role. Who plays it? Jim Carrey!! He did the one-day shoot and one-day studio recording for next to nothing because, after reading the script, he knew he had to be a part of it.
This is truly a great film. When 1998 is all said and done, Simon Birch will be one of the films that everyone will be talking about.
And you can call me....Jeffdaddy.
