Short summary of SimOne: A producer’s film is endangered when his star walks off, so he decides to digitally create an actress to substitute for the star. The digital “actress” becomes an overnight sensation that everyone thinks is a real person.
This movie exposes the construct of personhood, the lie that masquerades as “life” in and of the body. The star of the dream is the hero of the dream, the body, the person. This is the story of the ego and the temptation to make and uphold a false construct for personal recognition.
David Hoffmeister: I think this is one of the most humorous movies. It gets more and more humorous as you go along. Everyone who has come to this world can identify with the main character, played by Al Pacino, because all of us have tried to deceive ourselves—and others—about who we truly are. We do this out of a mistaken belief of personal gain and recognition. We think we can get love, worth, and respect by making a false self.
Toward the end of the movie Al Pacino’s daughter says, “We’re fine with fake, dad. Just don’t lie about it.” That is the Holy Spirit speaking! Jesus says to everyone who studies the Course, We’re fine with fake. Just don’t lie about it. Just don’t cover it over. Just don’t protect it. Just be willing to expose it. No harm done with all of this; you didn’t mess up Heaven with this crazy mad idea of separation from God. Just don’t lie about it.
We need to be self-honest, and when we see the error for what it is, we need to be willing to offer it up to the light of Heaven and don’t hide it and protect it. Just give it back! Give it back to the Spirit and see it dissolve and disappear. Don’t try to protect it.
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