Simon Birch

This movie is an adaptation of "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving. I'm not sure why the name of the character was changed. The movie was a simplification of the book (it was a long book). Simon/Owen dies in dramatic fashion in both, but in the movie he is still in high school. He believes he is destined to be a hero in both, and he is correct. In the book he and his friend practice "The Shot" over and over; in the movie he challenges himself to hold his breath for longer and longer periods of time. Both of these turn out to be in preparation for his heroic act.

Owen is eerily wise, and is used as a tool for the author to express his view on a wide-reaching array of topics. But the story is interesting enough to keep the book moving.