Simon (1980) [VHS]

Simon (1980) [VHS]

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Editorial Reviews

When a group of scientists decide to create an alien, they choose Simon, a psychology professor for the experiment. They brainwash him into believing he's an alien.

Customer Reviews

One Of The Funniest Movies Ever Made!

Reviewed by Matt Harnick, 2009-08-30

I remember 'Simon' fondly for two reasons. First, it was simply a wonderful comedy with a deeper message. Second, I knew many people in the cast personally. For example, the head of the Church of Television was played by Adolf Green who lived in the same elevator line in the building where I grew up. And this is the same man who co-wrote 'Singin' In The Rain'. Everyone of a certain age remembers Judi Grobart from 'The Electric Company'. Among other characters, she was Jennifer of the Jungle ("OYOYOYOYOYOYO!).

The film itself is about a man named Simon who is doing sensory deprivation research. An exclusive think-tank of the four most brilliant minds in the world invite him to become one of them, but with a sinister motive. They leave him in the tank for a full week and he emerges with a mind regressed to that of "a bacterium". Alan Arkin re[evolving to the human level is one of the funniest sequences ever filmed. While his mind is still maleable, the think-tank members brainwash Simon into believing that he is actually the child of extraterrestrial parents who are machines. After waking up from hypnosis, Simon tearfully declares "I'm a toaster!!". Simon is then used to start a kind of peace movement which gets way out of hand. His wife eventually breaks him out and things get really interesting. There is so much more to this film but I don't want to ruin it for you. The last thing I will say is Austin Pendleton stroking a computer shaped like a gigantic Princess phone with a sexy voice.

It has been a real disappointment to me that this film has yet to be released on DVD. Maybe if we all ask nicely? Or do we have to imitate Simon doing an impression of a jungle cat? Either way, this gem really ought to be transferred. And with as many extras as possible!!!

Pretty please with sugar, whipped cream, ten cherries and a pile of gummi bears!

This movie is a riotously funny film!

Reviewed by Rogerfigby, 2000-01-18

Brought to you by many of the same folks who make the films of Woody Allen, this cinematic delight stars many great comic character actors who rarely are given the opportunity to strut their stuff. Austin Pendleton, (Who originated the role of Motel the tailor in "Fiddler on the Roof" on Broadway),Fred Gwynne (from TV's "The Munsters"), Wallace Shawn, Max Wright, and Adolph Green, are led by Alan Arkin in this romp which lampoons the influence of Television on contemporary culture, as well as poking fun at the world of unchecked secret government projects. A great film to watch with a group of people and a bowl of popcorn.

Brilliant, madcap cultural/political comedy

Reviewed by Anonymous, 1999-04-26

This is a wonderful, imaginative satire on American society and its counterculture, brilliantly written and directed by Marshall Brickman and acted by Alan Arkin. It is not very well known, which is unfortunate, because it should be. Its style is somewhat like Monty Python meets Woody Allen and Dr. Strangelove. The story of a self-styled genius who is convinced by a think tank that he is the offspring of a space ship and then tries to reform American culture via illicit TV broadcasts is hilarious and incisive. Madeline Kahn is also fabulous.

This is my favorite film of all time!

Reviewed by Anonymous, 1999-01-15

Alan Arkin delivers a hilarious performance in this crackpot tale of popular culture. The themes explored in this film range from psychology, to belief in aliens, to the media and pop culture. The cult of TV worshippers in truly hilarious and Simon's fultile attempt to get them to admire "real art" is a brillant comment on post-modern American advertising and brainwashing. Make no mistake, this is humor with a brain and a message, and I only wish more contemporary film could be as clever.