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List Price: $9.98 | | Label: New Line Home Video
Salesrank: 30608
Released: January 21, 2003 |
| Our Price: $0.01 |
| Used Price: $0.01 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
After the lead actress drops out of his latest project, a movie producer replaces her with an entirely CGI-character who becomes a major star. The producer must continue the charade when the public does not realize the actress is CGI-generated.
DVD Features:
DVD ROM Features:Script-to-screen
DVD ROM exclusive web site:The real S1M0NE websites
Deleted Scenes:Deleted scenes with direct access from the film
Documentaries:Cyber Stardom; Simulating S1M0NE FX
Full Screen Version:Widescreen and fullscreen versions of the film
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer:Teaser trailer; Theatrical trailer
Description of Simone:
What do you do when you've discovered a new superstar... and she doesn't really exist? That's the delightful premise of Simone, another smart, provocative what-if scenario from writer-director Andrew Niccol (Gattaca), whose script for The Truman Show offered a similarly skewed example of manipulated perceptions. Combining equal parts screwball comedy, Hollywood satire, and technological extrapolation, Simone grapples with the inevitable use of digital "synthespians," existing only as malleable computer code, and "performing" to the whims of the programmer. In this case it's a has-been movie director (Al Pacino, in a terrific comedic role) who inherits the Sim-One technology, secretly using the instantly popular Simone (played by unbilled actress Rachel Roberts with digital enhancements) to replace the "supermodel with a SAG card" (Winona Ryder) who walked off his latest ill-fated picture. Filled with clever ideas and a splendid supporting cast, Simone is occasionally uneven and illogical, but consistently brilliant... and be sure to watch beyond the closing credits! --Jeff Shannon
Simone Reviews:
The Charisma of Simone 
2009-08-03 - "Simone" is "A Thinking Person's" movie. It's one of those "would if" movies where the concept trumps the acting and cinematography. Would if you could digitally produce a musician, athlete or actor for the pure purpose of entertaining a population and didn't have to worry about prima donnas, excessive salaries and bloated budgets? What if, for the first time, a bona fide celebrity could be created from the dark recesses of a computer and appear more real than the latest phenom? From the election of the President to the latest fad, "Simone" shows how far society has come in creating illusions that people not only buy into, but relish as a way of life better than reality. There is philosophical subtext throughout "Simone" commenting on how far we've devolved as a society without being sermonic. However, what initially was a moral dilemma becomes an acceptance of the world "as is." In the end, the audience is left with the option of fighting an uphill battle over reality or surrendering by adapting to the environment of illusion. Darwin said that the person best able to adapt to an environment would thrive.
"Simone" is a comedy, but the concept is strikingly real.
Edward Brown
Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute
[...]
Interesting Premise, But Nothing Special 
2009-04-22 - This was a so-so comedy starring a famous actor who is known more for his dramatic roles: Al Pacino.
For a one-joke storyline, I thought the film was pretty good, and certainly better than the national critics would have you believe. The story moved well, only getting a little preposterous in the final 15-25 minutes, although the whole film is a tongue-and-cheek look at Hollywood fame.
It's a nice-looking DVD and Rachel Roberts ain't bad-looking, either, as the computer-generated new movie star who isn't what people think.
Overall, this turned out to be an "okay" but not one that people raved about. Maybe it was the weak ending.
proof once again
2009-03-08 - Once aain Al Pacino proves that todays actors have a long way to go..not only is he great to watch but so is the film.Simone is a very intresting watch,it also gets u thinting..what if this was really possible?Of course this seems possible in the near future..The film is funny,all the actors have delivered great performances..Simone is an insight to the pressures fustrations that film makers go through.All said & done,this film is a must for all movie goers..As for Al Pacino fans,all i can say is,don't miss this one..
Wagging another dog
2009-02-13 - Much like Dustin Hoffman in Wag the Dog, Al Pacino plays a moviemaker who turns an image into reality - if that many people believe, it's real, right? There are photos, movie footage, interviews - everything. What's not real?
Everything, of course. Computer imagery isn't there yet, but will be soon, and Hollywood's whole business consists of creating reality from nothing or less. Pacino's Victor Taransky just creates it from less than most. Then, recreating an eerily familiar phenomenon, the image turns into a pop-culture goddess. Pure imagery takes on a life of its own - just a half-step beyond what happens in the tabloids today. So, when Taransky tries to end that life, the world (or at least the police) turn on him. I found the ending a surprise, but one with gut-wrenching reality to it. Again echoing Wag the Dog, the movie's final comment on what's real and what's not extends into the world of politics, too.
Although clever and ironic in itself, this movie wouldn't be half what it is without Pacino. His character is complex, eager, desperate, cocky, fearful, and more - just as any credible person would be in pulling a major scam, always on the edge of discovery. When a good concept comes together with lots of fine performances, movies like this turn into something quite remarkable. I don't say this about many movies, but I look forward to seeing this one again.
-- wiredweird
Fun little poke at Hollywood and its fans
2008-09-27 - While I wouldn't say this is one of those movies you have to watch every weekend, I must say that this was a film that did surprise me with its subtle humor and satire. It has a decent plot and the idea is truly riveting. Mostly, I just love the satirical overtopping of media sensations. The acting is stellar all-around, and it's nice to have a n intelligent and cute little film to pop in every once and a while.
