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  • Simon Birch

Programme Information

Simon Birch (Ian Michael Smith) was born no larger than a man's fist.

Doctors said that he wouldn't live through his first night and when he did, they said he wouldn't live longer than a week.

However weeks turned into months and then months into years, until Simon grew into a boy. He believes that God has a special plan for him and it is His plan to make Simon the way he is.

In Gravestown, Maine, two boys struggle to fit into society. Whereas Simon is pint-sized, his friend Joe Wenteworth (Joseph Mazzello) is built like an athlete.

However Joe doesn't know who is father is because his mother gave birth out of wedlock. When Simon hits a baseball which kills Joe's mother, Rebecca (Ashley Judd), the secret of who his father is dies with her. But Simon keeps fighting to be a hero and he may have the opportunity to discover the secret of Joe's father at the same time.

Director Mark Steven Johnson opted for a cast which actually reflects the physical problems suffered by the characters.

Ian Michael Smith who plays Simon, suffers in real life from a rare enzyme disorder known as Morquio Syndrome which prevents bones, ligaments and joints from developing.

Keywords:
Comedy, Drama, Movie, Film, Movies, Films
Additional Information:
(1999) (USA) (3 Star)
Cast:
Ian Michael Smith.... Simon Birch
Joseph Mazzello.... Joseph 'Joe' Wenteworth
Ashley Judd.... Rebecca Wenteworth
Oliver Platt.... Ben Goodrich
Supporting Cast:
David Strathairn.... Rev. Russell
Dana Ivey.... Grandmother Wenteworth
Beatrice Winde.... Hilde Grove
Jan Hooks.... Miss Leavey
Cecilley Carroll.... Marjorie
Sumela Kay.... Ann
Sam Morton.... Stuart
Jim Carrey.... Adult Joe Wenteworth
John Mazzello.... Simon Wenteworth
Holly Dennison.... Mrs. Birch
Peter MacNeill.... Mr. Birch
Directors:
Mark Steven Johnson
Aaron E. Scneider
Writers:
Mark Steven Johnson
John Irving

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