Review of Simon Birch (1998) by Siiri P — 04 Aug 2008

It would be kind to say that this film is a misguided adaptation of the superb novel by John Irving "A Prayer for Owen Meany". Sloppy, sentimental and simplistic, the adaptation fails in most respects to live up to Irving's parable of atheism and the inexplicability of faith. The film commits the utmost crime against adaptation: the scriptwriter felt the need to put into words everything that is left deliberately unsaid in the book. Plus there's a truly unnecessary, soppy piano score plastered all over any vaguely emotional bit of dialogue. On the positive side: the New Hampshire atmosphere is sort of there (the setting is not local enough, but you get a kind of Norman Rockwell sense of where you are), the selection of period music (1950s-60s) is appropriate (but no Chuck Berry), and the casting is not bad. Joseph Mazzello is a bit too good-looking for Johnny Wheelwright, but in a baseball uniform he resembles The Dugout and it all works. The wonderful David Strathairn is a very likely Rev. Merrill. Oliver Platt does a terrific job with the Dan Needham character - although in my mind he will always have William H. Macy's face.

All in all, do yourselves a favour: read the novel instead.