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Pacino can do comedy too
Watch Simone, it's an intelligently crafted film
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Som Chivukula
As you watch Simone, you might feel it resembles films like Jim Carrey's The Truman Show and Matthew McConaughey's Edtv.
Though Simone also examines the fascination with celebrity lives, it is of a slightly different breed. While The Truman Show was a satire that excelled with its subtle and understated message, and Edtv had more humorous touches, Simone provides insight into human insecurity.
Writer-director Andrew Niccol uses a lot humour to tell the story, and at the same time, manages to make a few statements about Hollywood (the desperate measures one resorts to make a film). The film's structure will also remind viewers of the Woody Allen movie Hollywood Ending, seen earlier this year.
Viktor Taransky (Al Pacino) is a two-time Oscar-nominated director. His leading lady (Winona Ryder) walks out on him for trivial reasons like not having the biggest trailer on the set. Soon, Viktor is desperate to find a replacement.
But no one is willing to work with him after a string of flops, especially not a big star. Viktor's ex-wife Elaine (Catherine Keener) is the studio head producing the movie. One night, a scientist (Elias Koteas) approaches Viktor, offering help. The scientist is dying but Viktor shrugs him off. A few days later, Viktorhe receives a CD-ROM, which has detailed instructions about how to finish the film using Simulation One.
Thus Simone is born. Viktor frantically finishes the movie, inserting her scenes digitally. The film Sunrise, Sunset, of course, becomes a success. Everyone wants to know and meet the overnight sensation. But Viktor is the only one who has access to her --- on a computer file!
Viktor proceeds to make his next film with Simone called Eternity Forever. In one of Simone's funniest moments, Viktor tells Elaine: "Simone doesn't need makeup, a wardrobe allowance or any other perk," leaving Elaine flabbergasted.
But Simone's success drives Viktor up the wall, as he is unable to deal with her success. The Simone empire extends to a perfume line and a recording career (Jennifer Lopez, anyone?). Adding to Viktor's insecurity are two tabloid reporters trying to get the scoop. They publish fake articles to instigate Viktor Taransky and other tabloid methods.
The abundant humour in Simone is evident in another memorable scene: Viktor and Elaine are reconciling their marriage. They are discussing Simone's presence in their lives and he tells her: "I created Simone." Elaine shoots back, "She created you."
Al Pacino's character resembles the God-like character played by Ed Harris in The Truman Show. It's a treat to see Pacino in a comedy and he shows that he can handle it with relative ease, including a love scene with Simone's body double (played by Rebecca Romjin-Stamos). The supporting actors, including Jason Schwartzman and Pruitt Taylor Vance as the reporters, do justice to their roles.
New Line's press notes say that Simone really is a digital creation but in reality, she is played by model Rachel Roberts, who resembles actress Charlize Theron. The cast and crew have been tight-lipped about the whether a real actor plays the title character, for publicity reasons.
The mere presence of Al Pacino should make a film worth watching. In the case of Simone, the film is boosted by the intelligently crafted script and executed under the watchful eye of Niccol.
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