S1m0ne

The 2nd movie by Andrew Niccol (who did Gattaca 1st and Lord Of War then) goes very well as companion piece to Being John Malkovich.
Both are indeed about recluse and misunderstood characters that use the fame of another to get through to their public.

Except that here, Viktor Taransky (the genius director that is so uncompromising in his vision that nobody go to see his movies) creates the "other one". He then gets caught at his own game, as he's convinced everyone that his Simone is real and the media carries on from there.
"What is real?" and "do you really control what you've created?" are important themes.

The movie has light moments, with the escalation of lies and the overblown interest of people towards a figure that doesn't exist (more ironically: the woman they worship is in fact a man!).
It also holds darker themes, as Viktor close to madness, being taken over by his creation. Brazil (no less!) comes to mind a few times.

Al Pacino's main performance is obviously a stand out, intense and true as usual.
The wonderful photography, with sharp contrasts and colour themes (as with Niccols other 2 movies) help bathe the picture in a very surreal atmosphere, where nothing ever "really" feel real...

From start to finish (up to the last little twist!), this movie rings true in our world, where image rules us all.