In the new movie Simone, directed by Andrew Niccol, the writer of The Truman Show, Academy Award Winner Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman, Dog Day Afternoon) plays Viktor Taransky, an over-the-hill art film director who needs a quick fix for his masterpiece film after his leading lady, Nicola Anders (Winona Ryder), walks off the set and his ex-wife Elaine (Catherine Keener), who’s the head of the studio, threatens to fire him.

Hank Aleno (Jason Shwartzman) is a computer programmer who gives Taransky a computer simulation of a woman to do whatever he wants. When Aleno dies, Taransky replaces Anders with the virtual actress, Simone. Taransky uses his own personality to create Simone’s personality, but Simone’s identity must be kept a secret from the public, her fellow actors, and the studio.

Actor Jay Mohr (Jerry McGuire) plays Hal Sinclair, the leading man in Taransky’s films. He must use stand-ins, visual teases (such as lingerie and lip-stick kisses), and holograms to fool the press and paparazzi into believing that Simone is real. Women want to sleep with Taransky to get closer to Simone, and Elaine believes that Taransky is dating Simone. Meanwhile, a magazine writer, Max (Pruitt Taylor Vince), tries to dig up dirt on the fictitious actress. Once Simone eclipses Taransky’s booming career, he tries to get rid of her and is accused of murder.

Simone‘s sexual overtones are humorous. Pacino is at his best in the double-role as Taransky and Simone. Although Simone is listed as “herself,” she is played by unknown actress Rachel Roberts. The movie is rated PG-13 for sexual situations and mild language

Simone gets four out of five hoots