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Simone
By Dave DePino
It seems that Hollywood really gets off on spoofing itself lately. There have been a barrage of films cornering the genres of lampoon, satire, or just plain having fun with a biz -- "the" biz - that takes itself all too seriously and overpays itself a lot of money for doing so, resulting in $9-$14 box office tickets.
This time out, the project not only aims at the profession, it also takes a clear healthy swipe at the press and the public: the crazed and ravenous paparazzi and the die-hard moviegoers. After all, aren't we complicit in allowing Hollywood to dictate what we see? Who we will worship as stars? Some of these self-deprecating, shameless flagellations are just plain silly self-indulgences, some funny and some really quite good. Writer/director Andrew Niccol's Simone just happens to be quite good, though not Shakespeare. This is not the first time Niccol has gunned for humor within his own business. If you remember, he wrote The Truman Show. Here, with Simone, he marries myth and miracle, the miracle of computerization and the impact it has had on just about every aspect of art, and the myth of extreme charm and beauty all in a down-to-earth package. The package is the lovely actress Simone or, as she is known in pixel-land, Simulation One - a digital design. Niccol says, "I'm simulating simulation. I'm making a fake fake to make a point about fakes." But let's back up here a little.
Viktor Taransky (Al Pacino), a failed Hollywood director, is close to wrapping a film, Sunset Sunrise, when his temperamental star Nicola (Winona Ryder) walks off the film because her trailer is three inches smaller than some other actors. Viktor's career is crashing fast. The executive producer on the movie, his ex-wife (Catherine Keener), fires him. Only his daughter Lainey (Evan Rachel Wood) stands by her dad.
Some months earlier, a bizarre looking man (Elias Koteas) with one eye had tried to connect with Viktor about a project he was working on: a project which cost the man his eye and ultimately his life. Thinking the guy was crazy and maybe even a bit dangerous, Viktor let it pass. Now, with his life in shambles, he finds out that the strange man has died and left him a computer program that would change his future. This is the birth of the computerized star that will complete the film Sunset Sunrise. She will be digitally put into every scene and then go on to do remote talk-show interviews and show up in papers and magazines. Everyone loves Simone, but no one ever gets to see her. No one gets to see her because she is just software. Nonetheless, she's thought to be reclusive, private, and is desperately sought after. Viktor has a very delicate balancing act to accomplish to pull this off, but he does, to a great degree, but not totally. The dilemmas, confusions, and chaos which results are not only humorous, they are somewhat thoughtful and even intriguing. The public goes nuts for this goddess. Simone is the talk of the day. The press tries every trick to find out who she is, but no luck. Viktor is at the top of his game. Where is all this leading?
Pacino carries this movie squarely on his shoulders. Though other aspects work in sync with the film, it always comes back to Viktor. If Viktor didn't drive it, it would run out of gas. He is a wonder, possessing the same acuteness with surreal humor as he does with stark drama. His frantic hair and wild eyes helps let us see a bit into this frazzled man. Though not a perfect film by any means - some of the characters and relationships stretch the imagination -- you may just fall in love with Simone too.
As a video suggestion, The Truman Show might be a good choice. Though not a digital entity, Truman (Jim Carrey) has grown up in a Leave It to Beaver setting all his life, never knowing he is the star of a reality-based TV show. Everyone is in on the joke but Truman, who has been sequestered in a huge sound stage/bubble all his life. All of his friends and neighbors are really actors just doing their jobs. It is a very cruel, dark comedy and Carrey proves himself to be a fine actor, not only capable of flamboyant humor, but serious stuff as well. Meticulously directed by Peter Weir, Niccol's compelling film becomes hard to categorize. Also outstanding in the cast are Ed Harris as Truman's over-seer and Laura Linney as Truman's doting wife.
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