A star is... created.

"Our ability to manufacture fraud now exceeds our ability to detect it." - Viktor Taransky

Release Date: August 23, 2002
Studio: New Line Cinema
Director: Andrew Niccol
Starring: Al Pacino, Rachel Roberts, Catherine Keener, Chris Coppola, Evan Rachel Wood, Jay Mohr, Tony Crane, Jason Schwartzman, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Stanley Anderson, Winona Ryder, Elias Koteas

Plot Summary: In Hollywood, the land of illusion, never have those words rung so true… until S1M0NE. She is the ultimate director's fantasy. Unlike her flesh and blood colleagues, she won't get old, won't gain an ounce. She won't get drunk, will never need rehab. She doesn't have an agent, manager, entourage or religious guru. She won't demand a bigger trailer or a private jet. She does all of her own stunts. She doesn't need a body double. She has no problem with nudity - clothes are simply an option. She's programmed to love any script she's offered. She's not interested in money. The only power she craves comes from an electrical outlet. Meet S1M0NE.

Viktor Taransky (Pacino) is a down and out Academy Award-nominated director who just lost his last shot at a comeback when his temperamental flesh and blood actress (Winona Ryder in a cameo role as Nicola Anders) walked off his movie "Sunrise, Sunset". And when she left, so did Taransky's self-respect. Fired by his ex-wife and studio head Elaine Christian (Keener), Taransky just lost any hope of recapturing his former life with Elaine and their daughter Lainey (Wood). But then computer genius Hank Aleno (Koteas) shows up…

Although Hank is not long for this world, he is certain his creation will be in the right hands - Taransky's. Although Taransky initially rebuffs Hank's insane proposal, Hank has the last say. He bequeaths the software to Taransky that will change his life forever: Simulation One. Just a few key strokes and an overnight sensation is born: S1M0NE. Suddenly, Taransky has a taste of the success he always craved and the world's most beloved star under his thumb. Or does he?

An intrepid tabloid reporter, Max Sayer (Vince), is doing his best to challenge that. And his pursuit becomes a little sweeter when Taransky's immaculate matrix starts to take on a life of her own. In a twist of comedic consequences the Omniscient Taransky never anticipated, the creation…or creature… is about to show the creator the meaning of "Eternity Forever." Suddenly, real never looked so good.

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Edited by The Penguin


Pichino's first actual comedy that I know of .Comments?