Simon Birch (DVD, 1999, Widescreen)

How a little boy could make all he difference to his best friend. Simon asked many questions about God and what his purpose was in life and no one could really answer him. He suffered with his best friend when a baseball that Simon hit, hit his friend's mom and killed her, sure it was an accident, but Simon felt bad and his friend tried in the worst way to find out who his father was and after he found out he was disappointed and couldn't accept it. Simon was the hero of the story, when a bus went into the icy pond or lake after the busdriver missed a deer, and the driver got out and went for help, his friend helped other children and the minister out of the bus, but when one child wasn't accounted for Simon went in the icy water and saved the child. The problem was there wasn't anyone that could save Simon, he spend his last days unafraid in a hospital and told his friend that he had to go now. Simon died at 12 years old, but his size never got him down. As for his friend, he was adopted by his late mother's boyfriend. When this friend of Simon's grew up, he had a son, who he named Simon. That to me is an honor in anyone's eyes.
I am glad that I finally saw the movie and got it for my collection!

Actually 6'9" in real life, former NBA Atlanta Hawk Ian Michael Smith plays the role of his life in this heart-warming tale. Because of the marvels of modern special effects, Smith is transformed into a child that is under three foot tall that belives that God has a plan for him. It's a great story with a wonderful cast, but there are several reasons why this is a great movie for a guy to use to impress a date...

1. Most "chick flicks" have lead characters that are tough for a normal guy to "measure up to". When the leade is a small child that has a disease that limits his size to under 3 foot, even an average guy can be quite attractive in comparision. If you play your cards right, you should be hearing "you're sooo big" before the cloing credits finish rolling.

2. Ashley Judd's character is so beautiful and caring, that you fall in love with her within the first ten minutes of the film. In my opinion, she has never looked better. She will give you an image to use when she is on top of you naked.

3. I actually had a tear in my eye TWICE during this movie. It's never good to start sobbing uncontrolibly in front of a date, but a few tears go a long way into tricking your date that you are sensitive.

4. There's baseball... what guy doesn't like baseball???

In summary, own this movie and trick any woman that you can into watching it with you. It's the best $10.00 you could spend.

Simon Birch is a heartwarming film that gives several lessons in life. I recommend this film to everyone. When I first saw this film, I didn't think it was going to be a good film, but like they say "Don't judge a book by it's cover". This film has become one of my favorite movies. It's about a little boy who, despite of his size, is a big miracle. His parents see him as useless but he is loved by his best friend's family. Watch this film and I bet it you'll love it.

I have seen this movie about three times, twice at home and once at church for our "spiritual cinema" night. I have to say that this film incorporates a lot of the priciples found in the Unity teachings. Not only does it tell a good story, but we are led through situations that bring both laughter and tears in a very endearing way.

Simon is convinced that he is an instrument of God. Of course, being so small, everyone doubts him. What those doubters do not realize is that we are ALL instruments of God, including every one of them. Simon, however, ignores even the doubts of the minister and the Sunday school teacher, both of whom you would think would have been the first to support him. Simon continues to listen to his inner voice and believe in his convictions. Because of that, he is prepared when the time comes.

There are several turns in the story that we do not predict, but isn't that just the way life is? Things will happen that will shake us and make us doubt ourselves, but Simon had built a strong foundation in his beliefs to help him through those times. Yes, Simon was different and he was indeed special, but so are each one of us. We just need to follow the example of Simon Birch.

The book by John Irving is one of my faves and of course I was concerned if the movie version would live up to it. Surprisingly enough, it did. I bought this DVD as a gift for a friend's son and another copy for my own collection. I don't purchase many DVD's, it is usually not my thing. But when I do it is because the movie is dear to my heart and something I wish to share with others or watch on my own repeatedly. I am usually a big fan of movies that tell the story of an "underdog" that rises to meet the challenge and show that their unique abilities are more valuable than others might expect. This is one such story...