Simon
Simon

Movie spotlight

Simon

2004
Movie
102 min
Dutch

A mild-mannered gay dentist and a womanizing bar owner rekindle their unlikely friendship when, upon meeting by chance after a decade apart, the latter turns out to be severely ill.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Metacritic57/100
Google Users65%
Director: Andrew NiccolGenres: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi

Plot Summary

In a dystopian future where emotions are suppressed and genetic purity is paramount, a genetically engineered man named Simon lives a solitary life. He falls in love with a human woman, Karla, who is considered 'unclean' due to her emotional depth. Their forbidden love becomes a threat to the sterile society, forcing Simon to confront the true meaning of humanity and the cost of conformity.

Critical Reception

Simon received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising its thought-provoking themes and unique premise, while some found its pacing and narrative execution to be less compelling. Audiences were generally divided, with some appreciating its philosophical exploration of emotion and individuality, and others finding it too bleak or understated.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intelligent science fiction concepts and exploration of emotional suppression.

  • Gretchen Mol's performance as the 'imperfect' human is often highlighted.

  • Some critics noted a slow pace and a lack of emotional resonance despite the film's themes.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film's unique premise and its exploration of themes like genetic engineering and emotional control. However, some found the film to be too slow or lacking in a strong emotional connection.

Fun Fact

Andrew Niccol, the director, also wrote and directed 'Gattaca', another film that explores themes of genetic engineering and societal control.

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