THE MOVIE

The latest film of little known director Viktor Taransky (Al Pacino) is in jeopardy when his star actress, Nicola Anders (Winona Ryder) suddenly walks off the set, citing creative differences. Studio executive Elaine Christian (Catherine Keener), who also happens to be Viktor’s ex-wife, threatens to terminate his contract.

Viktor, who is desperate to release a commercially successful film is then approached by Hank Aleno, a software engineer who has created a virtual human. When he dies of a cancerous tumour in his eye, the result of sitting too close to his computer screen for the past eight years, Viktor inherits his life’s work - S1m0ne.

S1m0ne is the perfect actor. She’s beautiful and talented, she does her own makeup and stunts and she’s totally committed to Victor’s artistic vision. She has the voice of a young Jane Fonda, the body of Sophia Loren, the grace of Grace Kelly and the face of Audrey Hepburn. Put simply she’s a director’s dream. However, Viktor didn’t count on her becoming an overnight phenomenon.

S1m0ne was written and directed by Andrew Niccol, who also wrote The Truman Show and Gattaca. The film also stars Jay Mohr as Hal Sinclair, Evan Rachel Wood as Viktor’s daughter Lainey, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Max Sayer, a sceptical and somewhat obsessed reporter, Jason Schwartzman as Milton and Rachel Roberts as Simone.

THE TRANSFER

Video:

This film is presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen (16:9 enhanced). One of the first things that becomes apparent is the amazing use of colour, with different scenes having very contrasting colour palettes. Take for example the blue tinge to the screening room in chapter 1 (4 minutes) and compare this the warm yellow look when the lights come on. Then there is the night time scene in chapter 2 (9 minutes) and the bathroom scene in chapter 3 (18 minutes),which both have noticeably green tinge about them.

The level of detail is wonderful, this is evident during the close ups of Al Pacino and Catherine Keener. This transfer is free of film grain and film artefacts, although there was some very minor aliasing to be seen, check out the timber blinds during chapter 13 (79.03 minutes). Other than that I couldn’t find much to fault apart from the noticeable layer change, which occurs during a short pause in dialogue in chapter 12 (72.59 minutes).

Audio:

S1m0ne has three different soundtracks. An English Dolby Digital 2.0 channel soundtrack, an English Dolby Digital EX 5.1 channel soundtrack and an English DTS ES 6.1 channel soundtrack. I can’t comment on the DTS ES 6.1 channel soundtrack but the Dolby Digital EX 5.1 channel soundtrack is quite good.

The soundtrack is most dynamic during the screenings of Viktor Taransky’s films (e.g. chapter 8, 45 minutes), and when combined with the visuals provides an almost surreal experience. Other rear channel highlights include the fountain during chapter 1 (8.47 minutes), the echo in the empty studio during chapter 4 (20.56 minutes) and the crowd at the concert during chapter 10 (61.26 minutes). Low frequency output is also surprisingly good.

Dialogue is clearly audible throughout and there was only one audio synch problem, it occurs during chapter 10, when Rachel Roberts is lip synching to the Carole King song ‘You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman’. This looks to be unrelated to the transfer, however.

THE EXTRAS

Cyber Stardom
This 8 minute behind the scenes featurette includes interviews with cast members Al Pacino, Catherine Keener, Evan Rachel Wood and Pruitt Taylor Vince and Rachel Roberts along with writer, director and producer Andrew Niccol. Visual effects supervisor William Robbins also speculates on how long it will be until we have digital actors. This featurette is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 2.0 channel sound.

Simulating Simone
This 7 minute featurette takes a look at the visual effects used in this film. There are also interviews with Visual effects producer Crytal Dowd and visual effects supervisors William Robbins and Gray Marshall. Like the featurette above, this one is also presented in 1.85:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 2.0 channel sound.

Deleted/Alternate Scenes
Selecting this option loads a submenu where you can choose from 19 deleted scenes. Unfortunately there is no ‘Play All’ feature but this material is presented in 2.35:1 widescreen (visual quality is comparable to the film itself) and there it also features two soundtracks, both Dolby Digital 2.0 channel sound and Dolby Digital 5.1 channel sound. Total running time is approximately 23 minutes.

Teaser Trailer
Whose face is unforgettable, whose sex appeal is unbelievable, who talent unlimited, whose star power is unmatched, can you imagine, one man did, her name is Simone. This teaser trailer is presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 channel sound. Running time is 1.12 minutes.

Theatrical Trailer
Like the teaser trailer above, the theatrical trailer is presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 channel sound. Running time is 2.04 minutes.

SUMMARY

S1mone is an amazing actor. She’s beautiful, talented and totally committed to director Viktor Taransky’s vision, she even does her own stunts. When his lead actress walks off the set, Viktor decides to use a digital actress instead. He didn’t count on her becoming an overnight success. This DVD has a wonderful visual and audio transfer and there are also some quite interesting extra features.