What purpose does the character’s disability serve? Is it to further some aspect of the main character?
In the movie, Simon Birch, Simon is the supporting character of Joe. Set in 1964, the story explores the life of two friends who grow up together in a small New England town. Simon Birch is physically very small, he was sent by God to do something wonderful. His best friend Joe, who narrates the story as an adult, tells of their childhood. The boys are 12 and both are outcasts in their community: Simon for his short stature and his belief that since his survival after birth was a miracle, he is destined to perform a miracle, and Joe for his illegitimate birth status. The idea of Simon is searching for his purpose and Joe seeks the identity of his father makes for a touching story, a tear jerker one could say.
Simon’s main purpose is the movie is that he is Joe’s best friend. The movie begins in a churchyard with a grown Joe reflecting how Simon is the reason he believes in God. Quickly the movie flashes back to a Sunday school. There is an almost “freak” show quality to the start of the movie. First, in a scene set to whimsical music, Simon is lifted up and passed around in a crucifixion pose by the other kids in the Sunday school class. Simon demands to be put down, only to get in trouble by the teacher as if he asked to be passed around. Then Simon’s birth is recounted with carnival-like background music. Simon is born not with a contraction, but with a sneeze, and due to his very small size, he becomes an attraction at the hospital. Lines of people gather and gasp and stare at him in the nursery.
Throughout the movie, there are subtle hints that most adults and children really have no time for Simon. He is made out to be an annoyance to everyone including his parents, everyone except Joe. Simon is Joe’s one true friend especially after Joe’s mom is killed by a baseball that Simon hits. I felt like this was a way of showing that when people with disabilities are allowed to participate in the “norm” of life, the results are disastrous, and this should be prevented at all costs. After this event Simon is obviously very upset and questioning even more what his purpose in life really is, he must be here for something bigger.
Simon’s character is more than just a disability and I do feel that the movie does a good job of showing him as an average boy in some ways. However, there is a scene where Simon is portrayed as someone who would not be able to have a girlfriend due to his physical disabilities. Simon does prove in another scene that he has the sexual feelings of a boy, but this causes a huge problem during the Christmas pageant and again Simon is made to look like he is always causing problems. By the end of the movie, Simon does reach the hero status that he had thought would define his life and subsequently loses his life while saving others.
Which trope(s) apply?
I believe that there is a combination of tropes happening in the movie Simon Birch. First, the movie has an anti-trope feeling because the actor who portrays Simon actually has a disability. His character is not just about the disability. He is a very good friend to Joe and does remain a positive force throughout the movie. Simon faces some difficult days but always remains true to his belief that he is on this earth for a bigger reason. Not unlike many people who have hardships but are not disabled. However, the movie also has moments of Saint/Inspiration, Damaged/Victim, and Comic Relief tropes intermixed throughout the plot. I chose this movie because my 11-year-old daughter wanted to help me with my homework. It was a really interesting assignment to do with her. As we discussed parts of the movie during and after viewing it, I was torn between thinking “what a great movie” and “what a terrible way to portray disability”
Is this character one-dimensional (i.e. is disability the defining characteristic), or is this a complex character?
Simon Birch is a complex character. Although his disability defines him in the movie, the plot also includes the opportunity for you to see him as “just a boy”. Simon dies as a result of saving a bus full of boys who have crashed into the icy water. The bus is sinking, and Simon makes sure everyone is safe before himself. Joe does not leave his side and makes sure that Simon too gets out of the freezing water. The movie does give an opportunity to see friends and relationships grow. It offers a perspective of two boys who truly are friends growing up together and facing adversity.
What message does this character send regarding disability?
Simon Birch sends the message that having a disability doesn’t stop the world from happening. Although Simon was not treated very well by most, excluding Joe and his mother, he continued to be himself and follow his path. Although it seems, in the end, it was almost as if the fact that he fulfilled what he thought his prophecy was, helping Joe find his real dad and saving the bus full of boys, that his life was then over.
This link to a scene in the movie gives the comical relief portion of Simon Birch.
Tara's Perspective 