Doug Wise
17th July 2007, 10:35 PM (22:35)
Of the many movies I have seen Simon Burch is one of the most wonderful. It is the story of two young adolescence boys growing up in the early sixties and together experiencing life, love, church, baseball, friendship, death, faith and forgiveness. Simon, (unforgettably portrayed by Ian Michael Smith) is an under developed, under sized and under loved boy with a faith far beyond reason. Joe Wentworth ( remarkably portrayed by Joseph Mazzello) tells the story as Simon’s best friend whom is himself desperately searching for the father that he has never known. Ashely Judd puts in a marvelous performance as Joe’s loving mother “Rebecca” and is well supported by actor Oliver Platt as Ben Goodrich her kind hearted boyfriend.
This movie is not without some reservations. There is a lot of profanity and adolescent style slang references to genitalia and breasts. Then again as I grew up in that same era it was common to my experience. The Reverend and the Sunday School teacher are portrayed as stern and self-centered and not shinning examples of the Christian faith. For the above reasons I would not suggest this movie for children without previous parental screening despite its PG rating. Additionally if you are on the other end of the spectrum and expecting a movie version of John Irving’s book “A Prayer for Owen Meaning” don’t bother, they are not one in the same.
Simon Burch will be a real treat for those who grew up in the fifties and sixties as they will quickly recognize the many great oldies tunes that are skillfully used to set the pace and moods throughout the movie. The close up facial expressions and lighthearted humor gracefully carry the movie into several heart-warming and soul-searching scenes. Its observant short passages about life and death are both poignant and powerful. In the end it is a story grace through which we experience the importance of forgiveness, confession, reconciliation and above all faith.
I hope you get the chance to see Simon Burch and if you’ve already seen it I would encourage you to watch it again as there are many little, but revealing things that are easily missed the first time through. It was made about 8 – 10 years ago and is available at most video sales and rental locations.
Into paradise may the angels lead you.
Doug
This movie is not without some reservations. There is a lot of profanity and adolescent style slang references to genitalia and breasts. Then again as I grew up in that same era it was common to my experience. The Reverend and the Sunday School teacher are portrayed as stern and self-centered and not shinning examples of the Christian faith. For the above reasons I would not suggest this movie for children without previous parental screening despite its PG rating. Additionally if you are on the other end of the spectrum and expecting a movie version of John Irving’s book “A Prayer for Owen Meaning” don’t bother, they are not one in the same.
Simon Burch will be a real treat for those who grew up in the fifties and sixties as they will quickly recognize the many great oldies tunes that are skillfully used to set the pace and moods throughout the movie. The close up facial expressions and lighthearted humor gracefully carry the movie into several heart-warming and soul-searching scenes. Its observant short passages about life and death are both poignant and powerful. In the end it is a story grace through which we experience the importance of forgiveness, confession, reconciliation and above all faith.
I hope you get the chance to see Simon Burch and if you’ve already seen it I would encourage you to watch it again as there are many little, but revealing things that are easily missed the first time through. It was made about 8 – 10 years ago and is available at most video sales and rental locations.
Into paradise may the angels lead you.
Doug