Certified Copy was an exceptional film. I didn’t want it to end. It’s the story of an art gallery owner (Juliette Binoche), living in Tuscany, who attends a lecture by a British author (opera star William Shimell), on authenticity and fakery in art. She gives him her number, and they go for a car ride through the countryside the next day. At one point they are mistaken for husband and wife, and the question then becomes: what exactly is their relationship? Juliette Binoche won the Best Actress prize in Cannes for her performance in this playful and provocative romantic drama. It’s directed by Iranian Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry, The Wind Will Carry Us), and it’s his first feature made outside of Iran.
Juliette (Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Blue, White and Red, The English Patient, and Cache, just to name a few) is really magnetic in this movie. She registers every little thought and emotion quite beautifully. Her counterpart, William Shimell, barely has any acting credits, and is an opera singer for God’s sake, yet he is perfect for this role. I was shocked to see that he was not a seasoned actor. The movie contains mostly dialogue between these two, and a warning: it starts out perhaps a little slow. The plot gets interesting, compelling even, when they are mistaken for a married couple, and that which was only brewing in the earlier part of the film becomes the central focus.
Along the way, there’s a lot of discussion about life, love, authenticity, and personal freedom. Since Binoche’s character is French by birth and they are traveling through Tuscany, the film contains some French and some Italian dialogue, but it’s mostly in English.
The cinematographer, Luca Bigazzi, delivers some unusual shots, particularly during the car ride, that are visual treats. He describes in the Special Features how Abbas insisted on a style and vision that Luca had not explored before this film, and how this experience dramatically changed his approach. I have to admit that I have not seen Kiarostami’s other films, but I certainly will now.
This is an outstanding relationship story with a twist that keeps on giving. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. – [DVD] [Blu-Ray] – Criterion Collection!
Drama
Unrated
DVD Release Date: 5/22/12
