Summer Movie Preview - August

STARRING James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lesley Ann Warren, Jeremy Davies, Patrick Bauchau

WRITTEN BY Erin Cressida Wilson

DIRECTED BY Steven Shainberg

A romantic comedy about a twisted s&m relationship? That's what director Shainberg is going for in his adaptation of Mary Gaitskill's short story about a lawyer (Spader) and his new assistant (Gyllenhaal), a just-released mental patient who's more interested in taking abuse than dictation. "It's not 'The James Spader S&M Movie,' even though there is that stuff in it," says Shainberg, whose film scored a jury prize for originality at Sundance. "It's a love story. I think it really is a Friday-night date movie." Even if you aren't dating a kinky leather fetishist. "There is an S&M psychological dynamic between them, but rather than being ugly and scary, it's actually intimate and caring. I know that might sound loopy, [but] this subject matter can be funny and sweet and beautiful and romantic."

Still, there are some pretty heated scenes of bondage and spanking. What sort of research did Spader do to prepare? "None," the actor says. "I don't want to tell any tales out of school, and I certainly don't like to reveal anything about myself in print, but...I think with a subject like this, it is best to look within." Aha. "See? I've told you too much right there." THE LOWDOWN A blending of slap-and-tickle sex and fairy-tale romance? Hopefully, there'll be more pleasure than pain. (Aug. 9)

Simone

STARRING Al Pacino, Catherine Keener, Jay Mohr, Jason Schwartzman, Pruitt Taylor Vince

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY Andrew Niccol

I play, well, hmmm," says Keener, pausing for a full five seconds. "Jeez! Let me think if I can remember...." Keener isn't being a flake; it's been a while since the actress wrapped Niccol's first behind-the-camera effort since 1997's Gattaca. In fact, a year and a half has passed since the New Zealand-bred writer-director (an Oscar nominee for his Truman Show script)--finished his comedy about a washed-up filmmaker (Pacino) who catapults back onto the front page of Variety when the star of his new movie, the digitally created Simone, becomes an overnight sensation. But when New Line started to focus on its go-for-broke franchise The Lord of the Rings last year, much of the rest of its slate received scant attention. "There are a few New Line films that suffered the same fate," explains Niccol. "It should have been released a while ago."

But give Keener another second and it all comes flooding back. "Right! I play the head of the studio releasing the movie. She's sort of a screwball, someone who has clawed and slept her way to the top. She's the ex-wife of Pacino's character." Pacino, meanwhile, seems an unlikely choice for the straight comedy--which peaks when publicists and agents start clamoring to meet the (nonexistent) young starlet--but Niccol thrilled to the idea of working with the revered actor. "He's an icon. At times I still go, Omigod! He's in the movie!" the filmmaker says. "There was one moment where we were rehearsing with a young actor and she went to the rest room [because] she was nervous and Al said, 'My God, why is she so nervous?' And I said, 'Because you're Al f---ing Pacino.' And he says, 'That's right. I am, aren't I?'" THE LOWDOWN After Final Fantasy, synthespians seem sooo 2001, but we're curious about how the guy behind Gattaca does comedy. (Aug. 16)