Certified Copy

Abbas Kiarostami's romantic reverie presents an emotionally transcendent experience. The guiding theme of the title posits that an "authentic copy" of a work of art can have just as much relevance as the original art itself. James Miller (William Shimell) is an English art historian on a book tour in Tuscany. Elle (Juliette Binoche) is a mother of one, who runs an antique shop there. After taking her son to hear Miller lecture, she meets up with the author she appreciates for him to sign some books. The meeting turns into an afternoon tour of the local village of Lucignano. During a cafe visit, the pair are mistaken for husband-and-wife by the cafe's canny owner. Without missing a beat James and Elle pretend to be a long-suffering married couple of fifteen years. Discussions of art brim with relational subtext. "Certified Copy" is a mature reflection of the mysteries of relationship. Delectable.

Not Rated. 106 mins. (A-) (Four Stars - out of five/no halves)