Simone (which stands for "Simulation One") is the creation of Hank Aleno (Elias Koteas), a seemingly mad computer scientist bent on proving to the world that a realistic-looking digital actor can indeed be created and replace real actors. But Hank is dying, and in his last days he contacts Viktor Taransky (Al Pacino) to tell him about what he’s achieved. Viktor, a once-great director who still sees movies as an art form, is in the midst of being turfed by his money-hungry studio. Viktor is in no mood for such a thing, so he initially dismisses Hank. But later, after Hank dies and Viktor’s out of a job, a disk drive appears at his door and Viktor is intrigued enough to at least explore Hank’s world.

Indeed, the now-late Hank has created the most beautiful actress in the world (ironically, based on real-life model Rachel Roberts), so Viktor casts her in a film. Viktor simply hopes to pass the digital creation off as an interesting entity and regain a career; he’s certain everyone will know she’s fake. That’s not the case. People think that Simone is real and she’s catapulted to movie stardom -- and then some. Viktor, now riding on a new and seemingly unlimited wave of success, is unwilling to turn her off -- or let anyone know she’s not real.

Simone is an interesting, lighthearted film that not only explores the possibilities of films without actors, but also takes jabs at Hollywood and the ridiculous state of celebrities in our culture. Without a doubt, the Simone phenomenon depicted here mirrors some key public figures today and this film has no trouble poking fun at them. I liked that about it. I also liked seeing actresses like Winona Ryder -- who has some embarrassing, real-life trouble of her own -- pop in for a short role as a difficult-to-get-along-with actress. It acknowledges that much of what we see and hear masquerading as news is just plain foolish.

Still, as funny as Simone is, it could be much better. Under the surface is a biting and satirical story just begging to get out. In fact, there were a number of scenes that seemed rather odd, as if the film was originally shot with one intention, and then changed to look another way. Could it be that the original vision was a much darker film than this one turned out to be? I believe so.