S1m0ne (2002): Dir: Andrew Niccol / Cast: Al Pacino, Catherine Keener, Winona Ryder, Rachel Roberts, Evan Rachel Wood: Great idea that unfortunately concludes with a poor payoff. Al Pacino plays a struggling filmmaker whose latest film is about to be shelved after his leading actress walks out. He receives his answer in a computer generated woman named Simone whom he creates via disc. Now his films are automatic hits but since Simone doesn't exist it leave Pacino to fake interviews. His daughter still believes in him and his wife still produces his films out of sympathy. Interesting concepts falls into formula with a payoff that allows people to accept a lie. Director Andrew Niccol succeeds with his technical emphasis that may bear truths. His previous film was another futuristic epic to far superior effect called Gattaca. Pacino has fun with the role as he struggles to fool and manipulate the media. Catherine Keener as his ex-wife is unfortunately standard fare. Winona Ryder appears briefly as a snobbish actress but more would have been sufficient. Rachel Roberts is quite the sight as the stunning lie who would be Simone. It plays with the idea of the media's standards for physical beauty and the attitudes that accompany the whole charade. Theme of media manipulation and industry deceit are evident as reality vanquishes within the realm of visual effect technology. Score: 6 / 10
Review of S1m0ne
