S1m0ne

Mr. Taransky...?

She's...

She's walking?

Don't tell me she's walking.

She can't walk.

- Nicola! - This, this...

- not this. - Nicola!

- How was your massage? - You're in breach.

- Cigarette. - Is this about the new pages?

Because I made the changes,

all the changes you wanted.

You are virtually in every scene.

It is not the size of the role, Viktor.

Am I, or am I not entitled

to the biggest trailer on the lot? Hmm?

It's the biggest on earth.

I swear.

It's a 50-foot Airstream.

They don't make them any longer.

- Taller, Viktor. - Taller?

- Taller! - What?

Eh.

You've insulted me for the last time.

You're right. It's actually--

It's actually taller.

- You're right. It's amazing. - Coffee!

Wait a minute.

The tires are overinflated.

See? It's just this.

See? Look. Here.

- The air comes right out. - This is sad.

See? It's lower already.

Nicola, I beg you. Don't do this to me.

You know, I had three other offers.

I only signed on to this picture...

- out of loyalty. - Well, then show me some.

They're going to shut me down!

It's not working, Viktor.

I mean, my God!

The scene with the thousand geese?!

I don't understand this film!

Nobody is going to understand this film.

I already put out a press release citing creative differences.

So just let it go.

You went to the press?

Do we have everything?

All right. You know what?

You're right.

You are right. And when you're right, you're right.

- Thank you. - Let me help you with these.

'Cause you oughta go.

- I don't deserve you. - Oh.

This film doesn't deserve you.

It deserves much, much better than you!

Creative differences?

The difference is you're not creative.

To hell, please.

Jack?

Jack, are you there?

She's good.

You can hardly tell she's reading off a teleprompter.

I'm right here.

Right beside you.

Look.

I've analyzed this footage.

We've got everything we need in the can already.

If I could just make the proper adjustments,

we can finish this film without her.

Viktor, according to the writ her attorneys filed at noon today,

they'll sue if the film is released with Nicola in a single frame.

They will sue, Viktor. They're serious.

So let's recast.

Nicola Anders is the only actress in the world

that could play that part.

- It's a remake, Hal. - That's right.

Nicola Anders is not bigger than this picture.

Of course she is, Viktor.

No other name is going to sign on now.

Who needs a name? We'll cast an unknown.

I'm not going to play opposite an unknown.

- We can't sell an unknown. - The numbers don't work.

If we ever want to be in the Nicola Anders business again,

we have to cut our losses and shelve the picture.

No!

I will not give in to that blackmailing--

Viktor, let's take a walk.

Ridiculous performance.

I told you she was bad.

No, yours in there.

Why do you always have to make things so difficult for yourself?

Difficult? I'm being difficult?

Yes. Mm-hmm.

Elaine, do you know what these are?

Mike 'n' Ike's?

They're not just any Mike 'n' Ike's,

These are cherry Mike 'n' Ike's.

Do you know why I, Viktor Taransky,

two-time Academy Award nominated director--

Viktor, that was "Short Subject."

--overseeing the most cherished movie project of my entire career,

am walking around with-- look, look, look...

pockets full of these... things?!

I have a feeling you're going to tell me.

I'm going to tell you why. Because Ms. Nicola Anders,

supermodel with a SAG card,

has it written in her contract

that all cherry Mike 'n' Ike's

be removed from her candy dish,

along with strict instructions that any room she walks into

must have seven packs of cigarettes waiting for her--

three of them opened;

that there be a personal Jacuzzi

within 80 paces of her dressing room;

and that any time she travels,

her nanny must fly with her first-class.

So, what's wrong with that?

Elaine, she doesn't have children.

Don't you see? They're mocking us.

They're mocking-- we're at their mercy.

What happened? I mean, we always had movie stars,

but they used to be our stars, remember?

We were the ones who would tell them what to do.

And we would tell them what to wear,

- who to date-- - That's what you want?!

When they were under contract to us,

we could change their names if we wanted to.

- More than once. - Viktor,

do you realize you're nostalgic

for an era you weren't even born in?!

I do remember why I got into this business.

- You seem to have forgotten. - Oh, please. Come on.

New York-- Cassavetes. Remember?

- Here we go. - What were we doing?

We were trying to make something important.

I don't know.

Shine a little light in that darkened cinema.

It's called a projector.

Illuminate hearts and minds with a ray of truth.

I thought that's what we were doing.

I have good memories of those days, too.

I do, but this isn't about that--

or you, or me,

or some high-minded ideal. This is business.

- Spare me. - Look around.

Who do you think pays for all of this?

This is about investment and return.

I'm not interested in investment and return!

I'm not interested in who pays for anything!

I'm trying to make a movie!

I'm responsible for this, Viktor.

Those days in New York...

It's over, Viktor.

You're not renewing my contract?

How can I?!

Your last three pictures tanked.

No bankable star is going to work with you after this.

I mean, if you just compromised a little.

Well, it's not every day you're fired

by the mother of your own child.

You and I both know that I kept you on

after the divorce for old time's sake.

And so you could still hold your head up in front of Lainey.

- I fought for you. - Yeah, well...

I'm sorry, Viktor.

Dad!

- Sweetheart. - Hey, Dad.

- How are you, honey? - Good.

I'm sorry Mom canned you.

I'm going to finish this picture.

Lainey, I'm going to finish it.

Because it's important.

I know you will, Dad.

You're Viktor Taransky.

I'm Viktor Taransky.

'Kay. Bye, Dad.

- Hi, sweetheart. - Hey, Mom.

Are you okay?

I'm Viktor Taransky.

Mr. Taransky?

Mr. Taransky, thank God.

I've been trying to see you.

I've been calling.

Your assistant won't put me through.

I told her it was a matter of life and death.

I was afraid I wasn't going to get to you in time.

Please, just...

- Keep your distance. - I did it!

I did it!

I licked skin, I licked hair,

- I licked every part of her. - I'm going to call security.

I'll call security if you don't back off.

I have her, Mr. Taransky.

The answer to your prayers.

- The answer to this. - I was misquoted.

I have your new leading-lady right here.

In my pants.

Please, sir, I don't know you.

- I don't know where you come from-- - It's me!

Mr. Taransky, don't--

Don't you recognize me?