S1m0ne

[KLAXXON]

She is the ultimate director's fantasy. Unlike her flesh and blood colleagues, she won't get old, won't gain an ounce. She doesn't have an agent, manager or entourage. She doesn't need a body double. She has no problem with nudity. She's programmed to love any script she's offered. She's not interested in money. The only power she craves comes from an electrical outlet. Viktor (Al Pacino) is a down and out director who just lost his last shot at a comeback when his temperamental flesh and blood actress (Winona Ryder) walked off his movie Sunrise, Sunset. When she left, so did Viktor's self-respect.


But then computer genius Hank (Elias Koteas) shows up... Hank is not long for this world and bequeaths the software to Viktor that will change his life forever: Simulation One. Just a few key strokes and an overnight sensation is born: S1MONE. Suddenly, Viktor has a taste of success he always craved and the world's most beloved, beautiful and sexy star under his thumb...



Down-and-out movie director Viktor Taransky makes a comeback when he is gifted the world’s first synthespian, Simone. But soon he is trapped by his creation’s success.



From CG stuntmen to a CG Yoda, synthespians are big business. Hence, Andrew Niccol’s Simone couldn’t be more timely — but the surprise here is that the normally preachy Niccol has discovered his funny bone, reworking the Frankenstein myth (creator destroyed by creation) into a broad comedy.

But can Simone intentionally do what Jar Jar achieved by accident? Yes, but only in patches.

Niccol’s chief problem is that the CG Simone, as moulded by Rachel Roberts and a team of sweaty FX wizards, just doesn’t convince. She’s beautiful enough to make computer geeks shower their splatter-proof screens, and at times is stunningly photorealistic.

But it’s asking a lot to believe she fools the world, despite Taransky’s assertion: “It’s easier to make 100,000 believe than just one.”

But we’re nitpicking. Simone is just a smoke screen for Niccol’s real target: Hollywood, the only place where someone as fake as Simone would seem so real. From bitchy studio bosses to demanding starlets (personified by Winona Ryder’s scheming bitch), and the Oscars (the best gag sees Simone give an acceptance speech from a Third World country, while war rages behind her), Niccol frequently hits home.

He’s brilliantly served by Pacino, who revels in the chance to play physical comedy. It’s a wonderfully sustained performance, but with a human touch as Taransky gradually becomes overwhelmed by his creation. With this, Insomnia and the forthcoming People I Know, Pacino thankfully seems to have laid his shouty persona, Mr. Hoo-Hah, to rest.

It’s a shame, though, that his talented supporting players (Jason Schwartzman, Jay Mohr, Catherine Keener) have nowt to do. And when faced with Niccol’s patchy script, as replete with groaners as it is zingers, everyone is occasionally left stranded as gags disappear into thin air.

It looks good, though, and Niccol’s got a great eye (witness Pacino dwarfed by a Simone billboard). But in trying to ally his favourite themes — the triumph of the human spirit over an oppressive system; criticism of the pursuit of bodily perfection — with such a broad approach, he overreaches himself.



A great idea in search of a good script. But Pacino is wonderful — hell could freeze over before he has to worry about synthesps.





Al Pacino ...  Viktor Taransky
Benjamin Salisbury ...  Production Assistant
Winona Ryder ...  Nicola Anders
Darnell Williams ...  Studio Executive #1
Jim Rash ...  Studio Executive #2
Ron Perkins ...  Studio Executive #3
Jay Mohr ...  Hal Sinclair
Catherine Keener ...  Elaine Christian
Evan Rachel Wood ...  Lainey Christian Taransky
Jeffrey Pierce ...  Kent
Jeff Williams ...  Man in Suit
Rachel Roberts ...  Simone (as Simone)
Mitzi Martin ...  Premiere Audience Member
Carole Androsky ...  Premiere Audience Member (as Carol Androsky)
Christopher Neiman ...  Premiere Audience Member




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[Jenson]

friggin' eh, I wish I had that program >:(