Simone

2002

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) finds 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. more..

Director: Andrew Niccol

Starring: Al Pacino, Catherine Keener, Rachel Roberts, Evan Rachel Wood, Jay Mohr

Reviews

  • As the man who made the monster and now has to live with it, Pacino's a blast.

    Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 April 2013

  • The movie pretends to warn against such shallowness -- but flaunts its arousal at how exciting such a controllable world is for those with access to the software.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • A worthy, if flawed, piece of entertainment.

    Claudia Puig - USA Today

    27 April 2013

  • It's fitfully funny but never really takes off. Out of the corners of our eyes we glimpse the missed opportunities for some real satirical digging.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    27 April 2013

  • Writer-director Andrew Niccol -- gets this Hollywood satire off to a rousing start. But the middle flattens, despite Pacino firing on all cylinders. And the end just nose-dives into something silly and, worse, sentimental.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Supporting Actress

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2003)