Certified Copy (2010, dir. Abbas Kiarostami) ****/****

Abbas Kiarostami’s “Certified Copy” depicts a relationship between a man and woman that is never quite what it seems.  At times we are lead to believe that the date the two individuals are on is a “first date” while at others we are given the impression that they have been in some sort of relationship for a number of years. 

A French woman (Juliette Binoche) living in Italy attends a lecture on a new book by its author (William Shimell) called “Certified Copy”.  The subject of the book is the value of and difference between original works of art and copies of the original.  Before the lecture ends she leaves her phone number for the author with another man who is in close contact with him.  Later, we see the author at the woman’s house and she invites him to a museum a half hour away so she can show him an example of such a “certified copy”.  The remainder of the film depicts their conversations and interactions with each other and a few others.  

The film brilliantly leaves a big question mark as to the nature of this man and woman’s relationship.  At first we think they hardly know each other.  At one point however, a cafe server mistakes the two for a married couple and the woman, while the man is outside taking a phone call, decides to play along.  All of a sudden, the relationship seems to change and the playing out of a make-believe game of husband and wife becomes a seeming reality for the two of them and the viewer of the film.

I have seen two previous films by Kiarostami on recommendations from various film journals and was thoroughly impressed by them (“Taste of Cherry” (1997), “Ten” (2002)).  His films are not made for the mainstream, entertainment-thirsty film viewer but are lyrical, hypnotic, artistically-oriented, sublime films for those seeking something out of the ordinary.  “Certified Copy” is no exception to this statement.  Many viewers will be impatient with the slow, meandering, conversational story.  But this film, like his others is rewarding and captivating for the right viewer.

The performances are stellar.  The cinematography of the Italian countryside is beautiful.  The film, with its theme of the value of copies of originals is re-emphasized in the relationship between Shimell and Binoche.  Although we are not clear as to the exact nature of their relationship, it could be said that their quasi-romance is a “certified copy” of a real, loving relationship.  The marriage that the two are pretending to be in is a cover for the unfulfilled, removed and absent nature of the real thing.

This is a film that demands attention and challenges the viewer in subtle and effective ways.  I really loved it.