I was very pleasantly
surprized. I didn't realize it is based on A Prayer for Owen
Meany, a great novel I read years ago. (and "Owen
Meany" is a far-superior and more fitting name than
"Simon Birch", I might add)
It is very refreshing to see child actors who
do not overact, and the two starring fellows do an excellent job
of understating their cases. The storyline keeps you guessing,
and they don't pull any punches with Simon's (Ian Michael
Smith's) physical deformities and limitations. The scene stealer
is the children's Sunday School teacher, who takes her assigment
as if it is her punishment in Hell. She is a finger-clicker (You!
[click] You there! [click, point] Stop that! [click click point]
Stop [click] that [click] right now! [click click click point!])
Badly in need of a cigarette, she tells her Sunday school class
of 12-year olds that she is going to "leave them with their
thoughts", for a moment.
What's great about this movie is that we are
reminded that people respond at their best to love, and that love
means being honest with people and being there when you need
them. Simon Birch believes that God has a plan for everyone, and
that God plans to use him as an instrument for His plan. Simon
believes that there is a reason for his deformity. Good ole
Sunday school teacher complains to the reverend who lost his
faith a long time ago: "He's frightening the children, by
telling them that God has a plan!." Simon clings to his
faith, even though everyone tries to dissuade him. And in the
end, of course he demonstrates the truth and power of his belief.
It is really a lovely movie that I think
everyone except the most cynical would enjoy. Set in
"Gravestone" Maine in the fall, the scenery is
wonderful.
