| Simon Birch | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mark Steven Johnson |
| Screenplay by | Mark Steven Johnson |
| Based on | A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving |
| Produced by | Roger Birnbaum Laurence Mark |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Aaron Schneider |
| Edited by | David Finfer |
| Music by | Marc Shaiman |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 114 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $20 million[2] |
| Box office | $18.3 million[2] |
Simon Birch is a 1998 American comedy-drama film loosely based on the 1989 novel A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving and written for the screen and directed by Mark Steven Johnson in his directorial debut.[3] The film stars Ian Michael Smith, Joseph Mazzello, Jim Carrey, Ashley Judd, and Oliver Platt. It omitted much of the latter half of the novel and altered the ending.
The film does not share the book's title at Irving's request; he did not believe that his novel could successfully be made into a film.[4] The name "Simon Birch" was suggested by him to replace that of Owen Meany.[5] The opening credits of the film state that it was "suggested by" Irving's novel. The main plot centers on 12-year-old Joe Wenteworth and his best friend Simon Birch, who was born with dwarfism.
- ^ "Simon Birch (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. October 6, 1998. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
numberswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Holden, Stephen (September 11, 1998). "FILM REVIEW; Tiny Boy With an Enormously Consuming Quest". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ Stewart, Bhob (2016). "Simon Birch (1998)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ "John Irving's personal thoughts on Simon Birch". Aintitcool.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.