RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Simon Birch
Simon Birch

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Simon Birch (1998)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
45 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:31

Fresh:14

Rotten:17

Average Rating:5.9/10

Consensus: Overly mushy; tries too hard to pull at the heart-strings.

Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Born the size of a human hand, Simon Birch was not predicted to live through the first week of his life. Then the first month. Then the first year. Twelve years later, Simon is still alive, and... Born the size of a human hand, Simon Birch was not predicted to live through the first week of his life. Then the first month. Then the first year. Twelve years later, Simon is still alive, and still incredibly undersized. He constantly reminds his best friend Joe that God has a special plan for him. Meanwhile, Joe spends his time closed off from his mother's new suitors, preoccupied with the knowledge that he has never been told who his real father is. When fate intervenes in the form of a foul ball during a little league game, Joe understands that he will never learn the truth; unless Simon is right about there being a purpose for everything, that is. A hopeful, heartwarming tale that the whole family can enjoy. Based on John Irving's A Prayer For Owen Meany. [More]

Starring: Ashley Judd, Oliver Platt, Joseph Mazzello, Ian Michael Smith

Starring: Ashley Judd, Oliver Platt, Joseph Mazzello, Ian Michael Smith, David Strathairn, Dana Ivey, Beatrice Winde, Jan Hooks, Jim Carrey

Director: Mark Steven Johnson

Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Screenwriter: Mark Steven Johnson
Story: John Irving
Producer: Roger Birnbaum, Laurence Mark
Composer: Marc Shaiman

[See More Credits]

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

May 18, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Simon Birch
  • A heartwarming and funny hit that's earned overwhelming critical acclaim, SIMON BIRCH features great performances from stars Ashley Judd (DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD, HIGH CRIMES, KISS THE GIRLS) and Oliver Platt (BICENTENNIAL MAN, DON'T SAY A WORD) in an outstanding cast! Even though Simon Birch is the smallest kid in town, deep down he knows that he was born to do something big! He's on a constant search to discover his destiny, but somehow manages to find nothing but trouble! Meanwhile, Simon's loyal best friend, Joe (Joseph Mazzello -- JURASSIC PARK, RADIO FLYER), is searching for the identity of his father, a secret his beautiful mother (Judd) has guarded Joe's entire life. Discover for yourself the undeniable charms of this uplifting and inspirational motion picture as these two share the hilarious, and sometimes tragic, ups and downs that will forever bind them together!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Simon Birch

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    21 - 40 (sorted by date)
    Text View | |< << 1 2 3 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Movieline | comment Comment
    01/09/02
    Movieline
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Peter Travers
    Peter Travers
    Rolling Stone
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
    02/27/01
    James Kendrick
    James Kendrick
    Q Network Film Desk
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
    02/14/01
    Jack Mathews
    Jack Mathews
    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
    01/01/01
    Robert Roten
    Robert Roten
    Laramie Movie Scope
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    USA Today
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    E! Online
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Amy Taubin
    Amy Taubin
    Village Voice
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Barbara Shulgasser
    Barbara Shulgasser
    San Francisco Examiner

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide

    Simon Birch packs the dramatic impact of a mayonnaise sandwich on white bread.

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bruce Feld
    Bruce Feld
    Film Journal International

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Cinemaphile.org | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    David Keyes
    David Keyes
    Cinemaphile.org

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    David N. Butterworth
    David N. Butterworth
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: NUVO Newsweekly | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Edward Johnson-Ott
    Edward Johnson-Ott
    NUVO Newsweekly

    Simon Birch’s bark shrivels under the weight of its two-hour length and dramatically under-developed script.

    Full Review Source: Nitrate Online | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Elias Savada
    Elias Savada
    Nitrate Online

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Hollis Chacona
    Hollis Chacona
    Austin Chronicle

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jack Garner
    Jack Garner
    Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    21 - 40 (sorted by date)
    Text View | |< << 1 2 3 >> >|
    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    78% 78% The Hangover
    88% 88% Inglourious Basterds
    66% 66% Public Enemies
    24% 24% G-Force
    44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    90% 90% District 9
    86% 86% 500 Days of Summer
    63% 63% Extract
    06% 06% All About Steve
    78% 78% It Might Get Loud

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Best of the Decade

    Best of the Decade

    Find out what movies made our list!

    Iron Man 2

    Iron Man 2

    Watch the brand new trailer now!

    Clash of the Titans

    Clash of the Titans

    Prepare to Clash with Titans in this trailer!

    Total Recall

    Total Recall

    RT looks back on Jude Law's best movies!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • New Toy Story 3 Clip, Photos Posted Source: Slashfilm
    18
    • Danny Trejo Talks Machete, Possible Sequels Source: Collider.com
    14
    • It's Official: Jackass 3-D Coming in 2010 Source: Collider.com
    16
    • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
    102
    • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
    1
    • How Avatar Happened: The Path to Innovation Source: CinemaBlend.com
    19
    • Rob Marshall Says Pirates 4 Is Still a Maybe Source: ComingSoon.net
    32
    • ET Teases Iron Man 2 Teaser Source: Collider.com
    28
    • Tobey Maguire Refutes Hobbit Rumors Source: Hollywood Reporter
    9
    • Prince of Persia Featurette Posted Source: Yahoo! Movies
    4
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar Soars to #1 Spot
    261
    • RT's Best of the Decade!
    133
    • Brittany Murphy: 1977-2009
    115
    • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
    69
    • Total Recall: Jude Law's Best Movies
    53
    • Weekly Ketchup: Bryan Singer Teaches X-Men: First Class
    44
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: District 9 and (500) Days of Summer
    32
    • Critics Consensus: Sherlock Holmes Is Worth Investigating
    32
    • Friday Harvest: Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes, and more!
    14
    • What We're Watching on Blu-ray from Disney!
    8
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
    69
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    21
    • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
    2
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    17
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    12
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    24
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    16
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    24
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    9
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • Simon Birch at Rotten Tomatoes
    • Simon Birch at IGN

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Best Dozen of the Decade
    Best Dozen of the Decade External Link

    Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

    Top 50 of 2009
    Top 50 of 2009 External Link

    Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

    Santa's Naughty List
    Santa's Naughty List External Link

    Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

    Top 10 Movies of 2009
    Top 10 Movies of 2009 External Link

    TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

    Top 20 of the Decade
    Top 20 of the Decade External Link

    Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo
    About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
    IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
    By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
    IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.