What The Critics Say

"Pacino is the best he's been in years and Keener is marvelous." John Anderson NEWSDAY "What I saw, I enjoyed." Ross Anthony HOLLYWOOD REPORT CARD "Aside from being the funniest movie of the year, Simone, Andrew Niccol's brilliant anti-Hollywood satire, has a wickedly eccentric enchantment to it." Joe Baltake SACRAMENTO BEE "Coolly observed, savvy satire." Desson Howe WASHINGTON POST "Smart, provocative and blisteringly funny." Robert W Butler KANSAS CITY STAR "Simone is a fun and funky look into an artificial creation in a world that thrives on artificiality." Robin Clifford REELING REVIEWS "There is honestly funny head-scratching here about the real and fake, on screen and in life, and about the elements of stardom, and about the need for personality to give beauty a soul." David Elliott SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

"A witty and sharply written Hollywood satire that is entertaining, if a bit directionless." Claudia Puig USA TODAY "A clever, innovative satire of movies and consumer technology that marches to its own drumbeat and comes up with continual surprises." Rex Reed NEW YORK OBSERVER "Though at times the satire is over the top, Simone raises some interesting and troubling questions about the future of cinema." Richard Roeper EBERT & ROEPER "Niccol smartly contrasts the bland, blond beauty of computer-colored Simone ... with the brunet vividness of Keener." Lisa Schwarzbaum ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

The Story Director Viktor Taransky [Al Pacino "Insomnia"] is in big trouble. His first full length feature film "Sunrise, Sunset" is about to be canned by the studio and he is about to be sacked by studio boss Elaine Christian [Catherine Keener "Lovely & Amazing"] who just happens to be his ex-wife. Viktor pleads his case, blaming production delays on his demanding lead actress Nicola Anders [Winona Ryder]. It matters little, the studio has made up its mind. The acclaimed director of two smash hit short films is on his way to the scrap heap. Fortunately for Viktor there is one person who believes in him, a computor wizard named Hank Aleno [Elias Koteas]. The terminally ill Hank pleads with Viktor to believe him. Hank has invented the perfect leading lady. Viktor ignores him, even when Hank tells him that he [Hank] is terminally ill. After Hank has passed away, Viktor receives a special computor hard drive Hank has bequeathed to him. Viktor discovers a beautiful star, a computor generated actress names S1M0NE. Viktor goes to work [in secret] using S1M0NE as his leading lady. Her first film is a huge hit. He is a success and everyone loves S1M0NE. But Viktor is about to find out that he has opened up a Pandora's Box. In a twist of fate S1M0NE takes over his very being and now his life's a nightmare. Viktor must now look for a way out of the mess he's gotten himself into. The Verdict "One of the cleverest black comedies I've seen in a long while. Al Pacino is Viktor Taransky and what a performance he gives. This is a rare experience indeed for those who think Pacino can only carry the big, loud, over the top characters. "S1M0NE" is a real delight a truly magical experience and so much fun." The Cast

Al Pacino Benjamin Salisbury Winona Ryder Darnell Williams Jim Rash Ron Perkins Jay Mohr Catherine Keener Evan Rachel Wood Elias Koteas Jeffrey Pierce Jeff Williams Rachel Roberts David Doty Maureen Mueller Barry Papick James Gleason

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Viktor Taransky P A Nicola Anders Studio Executive Studio Executive Studio Executive Hal Sinclair Elaine Christian Lainey Christian Hank Aleno Kent Man in Suit Simone Theater Owner Entertainment Reporter Security Guard Reporter

Written, Produced and Directed by Andrew Niccol Executive Producers Lynn Harris & Michael De Luca Cinematography by Derek Grover & Edward Lachman Casting by Francine Maisler & Jon Scott Strotheide Executive Producer Bradley Cramp Production Design by Jan Roelfs Art Direction by Sarah Knowles Set Decoration by Leslie A Pope Original Music by Carter Burwell Costume Design by Elisabetta Beraldo Film Editing by Paul Rubell Rated PG [AUST] Run Time 117 minutes Copyright ©2003 - New Line Cinema - All Rights Reserved Copyright©2002 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved