While admittedly this movie isn't the type of movie I'd normally watch, I couldn't resist the incredibly intriguing premise. What would happen to the film industry, and movie going audiences, if real actors weren't necessary anymore? If someone created a digital actor so lifelike that no one could tell the difference, how would people react?
When prima donna Winona Ryder leaves director Al Pacino in a lurch, he thinks his movie and his tanking career are doomed. Then, Elias Koteas, a computer genius, approaches him with a solution that's too good to be true. Elias has created a digital actress that can be commanded to do and say anything, and he's dying. So, when Al re-edits his movie to cut out Winona and insert his new actress, the only person who knows the big secret is dead. After that fantastic sounding premise, and film continues to explore how the audience reacts to the new mystery star, and how Al tries to hide her true identity.
I expected the plot to divert into some level of weirdness, since anyone who would think of this story would be bound to take it to an uncomfortable level. Thankfully, the movie didn't get gross, like Her, or too futuristic, like Mute. The strangest thing that happens is Al Pacino puts on lipstick to add authentic kisses to his new star's forged autographed photos. There are a couple of nosy reporters, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Jason Schwartzman, who become desperate to find out the whereabouts of the new actress. And in the meantime, Al's ex-wife Catherine Keener thinks he's having an affair with his protegee. Their daughter, a teenaged, adorable Evan Rachel Wood, tries to get her parents back together, adding another complication to the mix.
Overall, this is a very entertaining movie, with a storyline that really makes you think. It's not your typical "backstage in Hollywood" film, which is probably why I liked it better than I thought I would. I don't usually like cynical comments on the human condition, but since this one didn't go over the top, it was enjoyable. Give it a whirl and see what you think of it!
When prima donna Winona Ryder leaves director Al Pacino in a lurch, he thinks his movie and his tanking career are doomed. Then, Elias Koteas, a computer genius, approaches him with a solution that's too good to be true. Elias has created a digital actress that can be commanded to do and say anything, and he's dying. So, when Al re-edits his movie to cut out Winona and insert his new actress, the only person who knows the big secret is dead. After that fantastic sounding premise, and film continues to explore how the audience reacts to the new mystery star, and how Al tries to hide her true identity.
I expected the plot to divert into some level of weirdness, since anyone who would think of this story would be bound to take it to an uncomfortable level. Thankfully, the movie didn't get gross, like Her, or too futuristic, like Mute. The strangest thing that happens is Al Pacino puts on lipstick to add authentic kisses to his new star's forged autographed photos. There are a couple of nosy reporters, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Jason Schwartzman, who become desperate to find out the whereabouts of the new actress. And in the meantime, Al's ex-wife Catherine Keener thinks he's having an affair with his protegee. Their daughter, a teenaged, adorable Evan Rachel Wood, tries to get her parents back together, adding another complication to the mix.
Overall, this is a very entertaining movie, with a storyline that really makes you think. It's not your typical "backstage in Hollywood" film, which is probably why I liked it better than I thought I would. I don't usually like cynical comments on the human condition, but since this one didn't go over the top, it was enjoyable. Give it a whirl and see what you think of it!