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Al Pacino, Catherine Keener, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Jay Mohr, Jason Schwartzman ... see more see more... , Stanley Anderson , Evan Rachel Wood , Daniel von Bargen , Rachel Roberts , Chris Coppola , Elias Koteas , Rachel Roberts (III)

Is the time approaching when a persona in its entirety could be a mere fabrication of modern culture and technology? Or did Hollywood enter that time long ago? Either way Viktor Taransky (Al Pacino) f... read more read more...inds himself growing more and more aware of the media-obsessed culture in which he tries to earn his living. Taransky is a film director struggling to survive in an industry that doesn't require or want his artistic vision. When first he meets a stranger whose vision is considered somewhat questionable, he doesn't realize the potential of the idea to digitally incorporate a character into his otherwise unsalvageable film. However, in time, not only the director and the entire studio, but American pop culture at large will grow to embrace Simone. As Taransky earns popularity and acclaim via the success of the digitally constructed actress he "discovered," he struggles to define his own identity as an artist and a person, and finds that lying to cover up Simone's non-existence is altering his life entirely. His ex-wife and former employer Elaine (Catherine Keener) notices the difference in his personality, upsetting their daughter Lainey (Evan Rachel Wood) and her hopes of their reconciliation. Meanwhile, stray paparazzi turned private investigators threaten to make public incriminating evidence, which could destroy the limelight Taransky enjoys while "hiding" Simone. Amazingly, what Simone doesn't say or do creates all the more buzz, and causes Taransky to face the reality of his industry. Written and directed by Andrew Niccol (Gattaca), Simone takes a satirical approach to an otherwise fantastical comedy. ~ Sarah Sloboda, Rovi

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34% liked it

4,350 ratings

Critics

51% liked it

156 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 57 min.

Directed by: Andrew Niccol

Release Date: August 23, 2002

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DVD Release Date: January 21, 2003

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Flixster Reviews (321)

  • 76Majikat
    July 10, 2011
    76Majikat
    Unusual for Al Pacino tot take on such a role of a slightly Comedic fashion, in a film that wasn't really really great.

    I like the concept of the film and it's obviously not an out of reach techology to perform, but I guess it sums up a lot metaphorically about celebrity and t... read moreheir followers too.
  • Gx7
    September 19, 2010
    Gx7
    Pacino, film making & computer geekiness. LOOOL at the 5 inch floppy disk used! Havent seen this one in a long time
  • SirPant
    September 30, 2009
    SirPant
    Interesting idea, I thought it was much better than everyone seemed to think at the time.
  • matertenebraum
    July 12, 2009
    matertenebraum
    have always enjoyed the movies that satirise the movie industry to such a startling degree. Two such films that come to mind are Robert Altman's all-star outing, `The Player' and Peter Weir's tour-de-force of directorial skills, `The Truman Show'. `Simone' is the next one in line... read more and matches up to the levels of the former, vaguely similar movies. It is strange how `Simone' is simultaneously highly original and occasionally unoriginal. It recycles elements from those two mentioned films along with the surrealness of movies like `Being John Malkovich'. Luckily, it copies the best elements so the result is a very good one.

    Of course the concept of digitally creating an actress has never been attempted before (hence the poster quote- `a star is. created'). It may sound highly implausible at first, but it isn't surprising that everyone in the world would believe that `Simone' is real. It skates over the surface of Hollywood hypocrisy but never cuts quite deep enough. Much like `The Truman Show', it is done in the delightfully bizarre style that Australian director Peter Weir created in that picture. The director of this film shows great potential for the future if he follows this up well.

    The cinematography is top-notch and it is appropriate that Hollywood has an orange glare while a blue-ish shroud of mist surrounds the indoor areas and studios. The script is brilliant, sharp and witty in some parts, but in others, it seems a little patchy to say the least. The predicted interest curve greatly soars in the first 2 parts, but the surrealness sets in towards the third part, and the comedy becomes increasingly sporadic. While it may seem slightly sour in its offbeat way, it leaves a satisfying taste when the credits roll.

    No one could have done the Viktor Taransky part better than la Pacino himself. He is simply tremendous as the Hollywood producer, and has finally dumped the `hoo-haa' image. It's ironic how Rachel Roberts had to pretend to be digitally created, while her digitised character had to pretend to be a human actress. This is one of the most daring roles in cinematic history and she handles it superbly. Supporting performances deserved some more of the limelight, and it's a shame that they don't get much screen-time. Catherine Keener, Jay Mohr, Jason Schartzmann, Elias Koteas and Winona Ryder (brilliantly parodying herself) do well in their small roles, but still needed a bit more conviction.

    The movie's greatest powers and occasional flaws lie in the close attention to detail. The visual effects on the computer-generated character are a pleasure to watch and real candy for the eyes. The references to other stars (Sophia Loren, Jodie Foster etc.) are always funny, as is Simone's acceptance speech at the Oscars. It's just a shame that they used fake actresses for the other nominations.

    The oddest PG movie you will probably ever see, `Simone' is a memorable, exuberant movie experience. I am puzzled by the `hit and miss' reviews it received and how it was ignored at the box-office. This is a great satire on Hollywood.
  • kenstachnik
    September 4, 2008
    kenstachnik
    meh
  • mrbungle7821
    February 24, 2006
    mrbungle7821
    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Director Viktor Taransky (Al Pachino) needs a hit like a crack addict (my apologies to Chris Rock). His new movie is in the can but his temperamental star (Wynona Ryder in a juicy cameo) pulls out and demands all footage of her be left on the cutting ro... read moreom floor. The studio is close to dropping Taransky?s film deal, and the studio head just happens to be Taransky?s ex-wife (Catherine Keener).[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Under this intense pressure Taransky retreats to mourn his failed potential, until an eccentric one-eyed computer engineer gives him the key to his solution. It seems that instead of interacting with actors and their egos and trailer demands, Taransky has found a new movie star -- one completely made up of ones and zeroes named Simone.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Taransky edits Simone into his film and soon after the nation is in love with the digital blonde. Simone mania sweeps the nation and soon her smiling image graces all sorts of memorabilia. The public can?t get enough of the mysterious Simone who never goes to public functions and only seems to speak or appear for Taransky.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Writer/director Andrew Niccol (?Gattaca?) has some fun with the premise but tries to have his cake and eat it too when it comes to his satire. ?S1mone? starts out satirizing egomaniacal stars, then the Hollywood system, then the press, then the public as star worshippers. The movie zigzags all over the place trying to have something witty to say about all these different topics but is too busy to settle down on one for a while. The satire ?S1mone? embodies feels deflated from all the work it?s trying to do. It?s over indulgence.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Pachino has always been able to do comedy but seems wearier than ever. He indulges in his comic like over-the-top aggression he?s been doing since ?Dick Tracy?. Keener plays another of her icy businesswomen roles although she thaws quite easily and quickly in the film.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]There?s a rather funny subplot involving Pruitt Taylor Vince and Jason Schwartzman as tabloid reporters on the prowl of the elusive Simone that deserves much more attention than it gets. The bulk of the movie could have been these two entertaining characters.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]When Taransky finds that his creation has become more than he can handle he tries to discredit her through a series of very funny public appearances and avante garde film choices. But then ?S1mone? sadly goes back to its more mediocre roots. Taransky tries to get rid of Simone but it all horribly backfires.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]As the film progresses you start to realize all the gaping holes that come up ? like how can Taransky, a self-described computer illiterate, handle the most technical computer program of all time? How come no one would find out that Simone lacks a birth certificate, social security number or even tax records for her studio work? And why does the audience have to sit through the disgustingly cute daughter of Taransky and Keener, who just happens to be a computer whiz-kid, besides the fact she?ll have a late fourth quarter save of dad?[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]It?s not that ?S1mone? is necessarily a bad film; it just has this missing piece to it when you watch it. Some scenes are funny, many drag, and the whole thing needed to be tighter and punchier. And to clear up any confusion, it is indeed an ACTRESS who plays Simone. Her name is Rachel Roberts.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: C+[/color][/font]
  • fb100000440772572
    April 13, 2012
    fb100000440772572
    S1m0ne is a lighthearted, satirical comedy that's a lot of fun. The story follows a failing director who creates a completely CGI actress that becomes a superstar when she's mistaken for a real person. Al Pacino leads the cast and gives a wonderfully charming performance, and i... read mores joined by a strong supporting cast that includes Catherine Keener, Jay Mohr, and Evan Rachel Wood. However, there is a problem with the title character, Simone. The character comes off as too mechanical and artificial. Additionally, the film takes the premise a little too far. But all in all, S1mOne is an enjoyable film that's full of laughs.
  • mndsawas
    December 9, 2010
    mndsawas
    Good movie - not a good comedy, not a good sci-fi movie, not a particularly deep social commentary - but the parts fit together in such a way to make a very entertaining, somewhat thought-provoking, occasionally funny movie I'd recommend to just about anyone.
    The quality that rea... read morelly made this movie seem smart to me was that I was constantly reminded that it couldn't have worked without Al Pacino in the lead role. Change nothing else, but cast Brendan Frasier in Pacino's role, I bet it would have got a 5 from me. It could have so easily been derailed - and almost was towards the end, I got the sense a re-write was done to artificially add some dramatic conflict - but Pacino's unique charisma, perfect for his role, held it together.
  • Lemure
    July 28, 2009
    Lemure
    Pacino (in one of his best roles) is a passionate director who becomes tired of prima-donna actresses and "creates" a digital actress to ensure his latest film survives. Trouble is he makes her too perfect and suddenly everyone across the world becomes infatuated with this amazi... read moreng actress. He then has to give everyone what they want while trying to keep her hidden, and I really, really enjoyed this film. It had some really funny moments (Simone's directorial debut), a really good cast, and a strong plot that kept the movie going. I would write more but I'd be ruining it, let's just say you'll never look at Jar Jar Binks the same way again.
  • vadermccandless
    December 18, 2011
    vadermccandless
    Criminally underrated film about the powers and dangers of fame. The film unfortunately decides to sideline some intriguing ideas about sexuality and acting through others (the film's best moment: Pacino singing along to (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman in a trailer outsid... read moree a massive concert) in favor of a "beware technology/hero worship" message, but it manages to be consistently entertaining and have multiple things going on.

View All Simone (S1m0ne) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum
August 29, 2002
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Niccol smartly contrasts the bland, blond beauty of computer-colored Simone ... with the brunet vividness of Keener. Full Review

Richard Roeper
August 27, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

Though at times the satire is over the top, Simone raises some interesting and troubling questions about the future of cinema. Full Review

J. Hoberman
August 27, 2002
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

An industry satire that's less funny than half-empty and hyper-designed. Full Review

Desson Thomson
August 23, 2002
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Coolly observed, savvy satire.

Stephen Hunter
August 23, 2002
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

You don't so much admire the movie as feel bludgeoned by its attitudes, however commendable they may be.

Claudia Puig
August 23, 2002
Claudia Puig, USA Today

A witty and sharply written Hollywood satire that is entertaining, if a bit directionless. Full Review

Peter Howell
August 23, 2002
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Pushes its thesis way past the breaking point of even the most gullible or charitable of viewers. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
August 23, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Uses a premise involving fantasy computer technology as a jumping- off point to say some pertinent things about longing and idolatry in the modern age. Full Review

Joe Baltake
August 23, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Aside from being the funniest movie of the year, Simone, Andrew Niccol's brilliant anti-Hollywood satire, has a wickedly eccentric enchantment to it. Full Review

John Anderson
August 23, 2002
John Anderson, Newsday

Pacino is the best he's been in years and Keener is marvelous. Full Review

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