SIMON
A film review by Shane R. Burridge
Copyright 1996 Shane R. Burridge
(1980) 97m.
Along with ALTERED STATES, this uneven comedy by Marshall Brickman seemed to make 1980 the year for isolation tank experiments. Alan Arkin plays the title character, a college lecturer who has been selected for an elaborate, if somewhat fey, experiment by Austin Pendleton's elite scientific task force. Through various none-too-subtle methods (it's a comedy, after all), Arkin is duped into believing that he is not a human being, but, in fact, an extra-terrestrial. Once this plot turn takes effect, the direction of the story is anyone's guess. It's obvious that writer-director Brickman wanted to milk as many ideas from this premise as he could. Instead, the satire becomes muddy. Part of the problem is that Brickman keeps shifting targets - religion, television, the government - and doesn't provide a cruel enough edge to his story. Its light tone is reminiscent of the earlier Woody Allen movies (particularly SLEEPER) that Brickman had a hand in. Arkin, a fine actor who has demonstrated his comedic touch in many other roles, is stuck with an impossibly confused character. In the end, Simon becomes little more than a melange of his more familiar mannerisms.
Despite flaws, film still manages many funny moments - a highlight is Arkin's mime of the evolution of man, excitedly narrated by observing scientist Wallace Shawn. Shawn and his colleagues (particularly Max Wright, who fits his role like a glove) provide much humor as the cabal of geniuses that conspiracy theorists love to think are secretly running the world. These scientists, however, are not interested in major issues - their pursuits are petty or fanciful. The newly 'alienated' Simon, in like fashion, is interested only in the trivial aspects of modern life. Intentionally or not, this keeps the whole story inconsequential. Yet although Simon has none of the disorientation we would accord any extra-terrestrial visitor, he does draw attention to one element we might otherwise overlook: If aliens did appear on our planet, their culture shock would not be generated by such global concepts as politics, religion, or war, but rather the petty accessories of people's everyday lives. Film's uninspiring title didn't contribute much to its box-office. Also with: Madeline Kahn (less kooky than usual), and Judy Graubert as Simon's girlfriend.
(An older film, submitted for inclusion into the Database)
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