Arty film director Viktor Taransky (Al Pacino) has just about had his fill of the Hollywood star system.

His last three films 'tanked' and now the star of his latest (Winona Ryder in a cameo) threatens to quit when she discovers her trailer is half-an-inch lower than her co-star's.

She's already cheesed Viktor off by refusing to travel more than three seats from her nanny (although she hasn't actually got any children).

Pushed to the brink by her unreasonable demands, a row sees her walking off the set of Viktor's latest arthouse project Sunrise Sunset.

Dumped by his studio, Amalgamated Films, which is run by his ex-wife Elaine (Catherine Keener), he finds himself with an unfinished classic-in-the-making on his hands.

It is now that Mistress Fortune shines on him in the form of dying computer software engineer Hank (Elias Koteas).

He has created the perfect actress - Simone - a virtual mix of Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Uma Thurman and almost every other leading Hollywood lady.

More importantly she won't get old, depressed or tired and she'll never need rehab. She doesn't have an agent, manager, entourage or religious guru.

She does all her own stunts, has absolutely no problem with nudity and, best of all, she's not interested in money.

Predictably, Simone is a massive hit. Then comes the inevitable public obsession - a state of play that calls on Viktor to use all his resourcefulness to keep her real "identity" protected.

Her debut is merely a calling card with the follow-up Eternity Forever propelling her up the ladder and her self-directed effort I Am Pig lifting her to the loftiest of heights...but at a cost.

After a strong start, with the shallowness and insincerity of the Tinseltown machine getting a sound thrashing, this opts to go the frothily familiar route.

Rather than pursue the satirical sideswipe at the industry, writer/ director Andrew Niccol uses a broad brush to mildly irritate the industry, rather than a razor-sharp stiletto to slice it open.

Pacino wheels out his put-upon hangdog expression, while you're tempted to believe that Simone - actually played by Canadian swimsuit model Rachel Roberts - is no more artificial than anyone else in Hollywood.

Dominic Bloch