When attending a movie these days, sometimes it's quite hard to distinguish what is real from what is fake. Many people envision a movie in the future containing no real actors, but rather, computer generated façades, capable of tricking the human eye and mind into believing what they see is real. In fact, with computers advancing at the pace they are now (doubling in speed every 18 months), the computer generated movie able to fool consumers can't be too far off.

In Simone, Viktor Taransky (Al Pacino) is facing a critical point in his career. Since the trailer for his star actress (Winona Ryder) isn't the tallest on the lot, she walks out, and Viktor's vision is left without a star. Or is it? Hank (Elias Koteas) presents to Viktor a hard disk just before his death containing a program with all the necessary tools to model an actress - to just create one out of thin air. And once we get by the biggest implausibility in the film - the idea that a director with very, very little experience with computers is able to digitally manipulate a character with such precision and place her perfectly into an already shot film that no one notices - the film really takes off.

Having created a star overnight, literally, Viktor is inundated with requests to interview Simone, along with a four picture deal with his studio, Almagamated Film Studio (the satire is laid on quite heavily in this film). But alas, since Simone doesn't really exist, Viktor creates a grand illusion, having Simone "interviewed" from remote locations, fabricating her stay at a hotel, and even hiring Rebecca Romijn-Stamos to pretend to be Simone for a night. The farse plays out through the film, and evolves into much more than he ever thought it would be, and much more than Viktor could ever handle.

The film itself seems simple enough - craft a world around Viktor and Simone and just let it play out from there - but it becomes much more complicated as Simone evolves and eventually grows into herself. But the film works on many other levels. The supporting cast is simply amazing. While Catherine Keener doesn't stray much from her usual casting, she plays Elaine Christian, Viktor's ex-wife, and Amalgamated Film Studio exec, which she plays perfectly. She's just hostile enough for us to hate her when we should, and just sweet enough to win us over later. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Lainey (Evan Rachel Wood), Viktor's daughter. Sweet and loveable, she carries herself with grace and charm and is aptly able to handle both sides of her split parents' personalities with a slyness just perfect for the role. Add to the supporting cast the comic stylings of Pruitt Taylor Vince & Jason Schwartzman and the film can only get better.

But, aside from the star of the film, Simone, Al Pacino steals the show. He's superb in his portryal of Viktor as he struggles to find a leading lady, struggles with his leading lady, and ultimately struggles in the explanatin of his leading lady. Just, quite simply, classic Pacino.

While not watching the gorgeous Simone (listed "As Herself" in the credits - though not actually computer generated), the film takes you away with witty jokes and a truly humorous satirical look at Hollywood and the stars that aren't much more real than Simone. From start to finish, the film is captivating and a charm to watch. Despite the occasional flaw, everything is forgiven with a script that works on all levels and acting that carries the film to another level.

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Rated: PG-13 - For some sensuality.
Runtime: 117 minutes
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