harihar90 What begins as a walk-and-talk with two middle-aged strangers at its centre, then turns into something much, much more intriguing. The reason for the intrigue is not the plot itself, but rather (my conception of) the point that the film raises. Should we go along in the ride with characters exploring their (possibly faux?) lives in movies, or should we try to assign a truth value to their story within the world of the film - considering that the world of the film itself is not an 'original' but just a 'copy' in the first place? Is there any point in doing the former, and does art lose it's intrinsic value if we do the latter? Does art have any intrinsic value to lose at all in the first place?...At the hands of a great director and supported by a mercurial performance by Juliette Binoche, the movie should have been something incredible. But sadly, it falls short as the perseverance with which it raises its points about truth distracted me from staying emotionally involved with the characters as I couldn't help but feel that all the interactions were nothing but a play staged to make the film's point about art and truth. A finely-crafted academic exercise, with some intriguing ideas, that left me a bit cold at the end.

richievee "Certified Copy" is true to life, from first frame to last. It plays like two very real people trying to re-explore their abandoned relationship, while leisurely walking through a charming Italian villa that serves as a backdrop. I'm not sure how the film was shot, but it does seem as if non-speaking roles among the supporting cast were taken by extras who just happened to be strolling about town. Some bystanders even appear to be gawking at the camera. This gives "Certified Copy" the look of authenticity, for the viewer becomes a witness to the filmmaker's travelogue while also deeply caring for what happens between Elle and James (Juliette Binoche and William Shimell). I won't give away the end, but my sympathies went to Elle, a sweet single mom who is willing to invest her soul in a man she loves, while the object of her affection, James Miller, finds no one quite as interesting as himself, fascinated by his own wit and intelligence. At one critical point, he puts his arm on Elle's shoulder, and we hope that he is finally learning to open up his heart and share his emotions rather than secluding them within. But "Certified Copy" is never that easy. It is unpredictable and will keep you guessing. I liked this film quite a lot for its sensitive depiction of the vulnerability of love, but don't expect to see quick cuts, fancy camera work, or special effects. "Certified Copy" is a faithful observation of life itself.

Sindre Kaspersen Iranian screenwriter, producer, film editor and director Abbas Kiarostami's thirteenth feature film which he wrote and co-produced with Romanian-born French producer and director Marin Karmitz, producer Angelo Barbagalla, producer Charles Gillibert and producer Nathanaël Karmitz, was shot on location in Tuscany, Italy and is a French-Italy-Belgium co-production which premiered In competition at the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival in 2010. It tells the story about James Hiller, an English writer who is presenting his latest book about the concept of originality in Tuscany, Italy. At this presentation is Elle, a French resident who lives there with her adolescent son. Elle is interested in talking with the Englishman about his book and towards the end of the presentation, she gives her number to his friend. Later that Sunday, James shows up at her antique shop and they embark on a walk in the streets of Tuscany. James and Elle talks about their views on life and as their conversation evolves, they begin to pretend that they are a husband and a wife who has been married for fifteen years.Finely and acutely directed by Iranian New Wave filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, this quietly paced and humane fictional tale which is the director's first feature film to be produced and filmed outside Iran, draws an incisive and compelling portrayal of a meaningful conversation between a writer and a single mother on a warm and bright Sunday in Tuscany. While notable for it's naturalistic and atmospheric urban milieu depictions and the fine cinematography by Italian cinematographer Luca Bigazzi, this character-driven and dialog-driven comedy-drama depicts two condensed studies of character.This humorous, romantic and existentialistic story about the importance of interpersonal relations, is impelled and reinforced by it's quick-witted dialog, cogent narrative structure and the fine acting performances by French actress Juliette Binoche and British opera singer William Shimell in his debut feature film role. An empathic and charming character piece which gained, among other awards, the award for Best Actress Juliette Binoche at the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival in 2010 and the SFFCC Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 10th San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards in 2011.

cix_one While the movie poses a few interesting questions along the way (the one alluded to by the title being one of them), it overpowered me with its sheer contempt for the rational. I believe that if the movie made sense, all of a sudden it wouldn't be considered "good" by its admirers. Open-endedness can be a powerful artistic tool in skilled hands, but this movie is open wide from one end to the other. Married? Lovers? Kinky sadists? Divorced? Make up your own story because the director is not. Nor does he give you consistent material to work with, you'll need to do some heavy editing if you want your story to hold water. Exhausting.