Simon Birch

In spite of the bad reviews, I went to Simon Birch hoping to be moved. I can enjoy syrup once in a while. Besides, it featured one of my new favorite actors, Oliver Platt (Bulworth, Funny Bones). But the forced quirkiness of the movie was far too much for my tastes. In addition, Ian Michael Smith, the actor playing the title character, had little control and terrible timing. Joseph Mazello and Platt turned in pretty good performances, but their roles weren’t written with much insight or sincerity, and so they were unable to save this little picture. Jim Carrey has a cameo, but his name doesn’t appear in the credits. Probably a good decision, career-wise.