Simon (1980)

60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(163 ratings)

In this far-out comedy that slams it to academia, television, and the military, Simon (Alan Arkin) is a puffed-up professor who is boondoggled by a group of geniuses in a think tank. Becker (Austin Pendleton) leads the wacked-out thinkers as they invent off-the-wall games to keep themselves amused… More In this far-out comedy that slams it to academia, television, and the military, Simon (Alan Arkin) is a puffed-up professor who is boondoggled by a group of geniuses in a think tank. Becker (Austin Pendleton) leads the wacked-out thinkers as they invent off-the-wall games to keep themselves amused instead of solving global problems in ecology or whatever. They manage to convince Simon he is really a space alien, but then Simon gets away from them and takes refuge in a strange commune headed up by a former television executive (Adolph Green) whose bible is TV Guide. Simon's life does not get any easier since he is being hunted by the army with orders to shoot on sight. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Marshall Brickman
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 2, 1980 Wide

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Simon is propelled by a witty screenplay and the energetic brio of Alan Arkin in the lead role.
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
The direction of the story is anyone's guess

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

            Alan Arkin as Simon Mendelssohn

            Austin Pendleton as Becker

            Judy Graubart as Lisa

            William Finley as Fichandler

            Jayant as Barundi

            Wallace Shawn as Van Dongen

            Max Wright as Hundertwasser

            Fred Gwynne as Korey

            Madeline Kahn as Cynthia

            Adolph Green as Commune Leader

            Yusef Bulos as TV philosopher

            Dick Cavett as Himself

            Al Cerullo as Helicopter pilot

            James Dukas as Narration

            Pierre Epstein as Military aide at map

            Sol Frieder as TV rabbi

            William Griffis as TV senator

            Lisa Maurer as Commune Member

            Jerry Mayer as TV scientist

            Ricky Murray as Commune Member

            Remak Ramsay as TV newscaster

            Ann Risley as Pam

            Rex Robbins as Army Doctor

            Hansford Rowe as TV priest

            Stephanie Segal as Commune Member

            Keith Szarabajka as Josh

            David Warrilow as Blades

            David Susskind as Himself

            Hetty Galen as Mother

            Roy Cooper as General's aide

            David Gideon as Security guard

            Ed Karvoski as Commune Member

            Tom Kubiak as Roach reaction patient
See full cast

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