Simone (2002)

What do you do when you've discovered a new superstar... and she doesn't really exist? That's the delightful premise of Simone, another smart, provocative what-if scenario from writer-director Andrew Niccol (Gattaca), whose script for The Truman Show offered a similarly skewed example of manipulated perceptions. Combining equal parts screwball comedy, Hollywood satire, and technological extrapolation, Simone grapples with the inevitable use of digital "synthespians," existing only as malleable computer code, and "performing" to the whims of the programmer. In this case it's a has-been movie director (Al Pacino, in a terrific comedic role) who inherits the Sim-One technology, secretly using the instantly popular Simone (played by unbilled actress Rachel Roberts with digital enhancements) to replace the "supermodel with a SAG card" (Winona Ryder) who walked off his latest ill-fated picture. Filled with clever ideas and a splendid supporting cast, Simone is occasionally uneven and illogical, but consistently brilliant... and be sure to watch beyond the closing credits! --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Fun little poke at Hollywood and its fans

While I wouldn't say this is one of those movies you have to watch every weekend, I must say that this was a film that did surprise me with its subtle humor and satire. It has a decent plot and the idea is truly riveting. Mostly, I just love the satirical overtopping of media sensations. The acting is stellar all-around, and it's nice to have a n intelligent and cute little film to pop in every once and a while. September 27, 2008

A Japanese anime like actress wins an Oscar

What is an intelligence? The old test for AI was how long or if
someone could tell they were interacting with a computer not a human.
The problem is that most of the current actors and actresses aren't
'real',but they are still worshiped? The destruction of the hard drive by a virus, leads to some real insanity...
They movie then becomes a real comedy!
And a child will lead them. August 11, 2008

CyberPygmalian controlled by his own creation

Victor Taransky is a Hollywood film director who gets a cyber simulated actress to fill in the role vacated by another performer. He creates, with the help of a cybergeek, a hologram named Simone who is so realistic that the public believes she is real. Before he knows it, Simone's stardom overtakes his own creative process, and the false personality is controlling him. Victor must create more and more elaborate schemes to keep the public from finding out that Simone is not a real person but a computer program or else lose everything. Unfortunatley getting rid of Simone is more trouble and causes Victor's ex-wife to suspect an affair between him and imagined Simone. July 29, 2008

So much more could have been done with this....

While beautifully photographed and decently acted, you get the feeling that "S1m0ne" is right on the cusp of something really swift, but loses its compass heading just before this "thing" pops up.

What we have here is essentially "Maxine Headroom", a computer generated character serving as a media alter ego for someone in ratings or ticket-sale purgatory. In the case of "S1m0ne", it DEFINITELY helps the poor, sad sack character, played by Al "Too Intense For Words" Pacino, who here is untypically mellow for just about the entire picture. Pacino takes the unexpected present, (from an old colleague,) of "Simulation One" and turns her into the biggest cash cow since Mickey Mouse! Without anyone ever having seen her in the flesh, "S1m0ne" becomes as big as Julia Roberts and Sharon Stone put together in digitally edited movies. Everything she burps is considered sacred and profound and Pacino even manages to stage a holographic concert, which probably satisfies the virtual guessers in the cast to some degree. However, two reporters are obsessed with both S1m0ne and her Paul Winchell, (Pacino's character Viktor Taransky,) and after Viktor gets sick and tired of his creation getting all the kudos while all he does is speak through her, and he decides to kill off S1m0ne, these two try and expose him as a murderer.

I'm not going to ruin the ending for you, but suffice it to say that it's a good thing that Taransky took time out to have a family on his way through Hollywood!

Done before, and maybe done a little better, but not bad, and a DEFINITE change of pace for Pacino. December 18, 2007

Examining reality

One can say an art form reaches maturity once it can poke fun of itself. Such is the case with this movie, which examines how one person can use technology, Hollywood and the mass media to create a reality from nothing at all. Al Pacino plays Victor, a washed-up movie maker who has just lost his big star, played by Winona Ryder. Out of desperation, he creates a fake movie star named Simone out of a computer program. He proceeds to film movies starring her, and then turns her into a singing sensation. Finally, her stardom takes over his life both professional and personal, and he concocts a scheme to remove her. But this backfires and he ends up jail. Luckily, someone else has stumbled upon Simone's secret, and resurrects her to save Victor.

The plot of the movie is interesting but fairly straight forward. A careful watch reveals many parodies. First in line is Winona Ryder playing a spoiled actress, something kicked around the gossip circles for years. Second is the ridicule of the Hollywood awards industry, and how some of the weirdest movies end up getting major awards. Third is the transition Simone makes from actress to singer. This is surely a parody of others who have crossed over, such as Dolly Parton, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, etc, etc... And then there is the most subtle parody of all, and that is this story is a remake of the original Frankenstein novel. A man creates another "human being" and this other being takes over the life of the creator. Being a comedy, this version ends on a happier note.

All told, this was quite an interesting movie. It has its funny moments, and is never boring. I recommend watching it. April 1, 2007

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