CERTIFIED COPY

This is the brand new film from Abbas Kiarostami and is his first narrative piece in eight years.  Also a change from the norm, is that “Certified Copy” is not set in his native Iran, but in Italy with both French and English also being spoken.  This was a strange film, but as strange as it was, it was equally mesmerizing. 

The film is about an author, James,  who is in Italy promoting his new book called “Certified Copy” which attempts to explain why a copy of an original piece of art, is just as valid and important a piece of art to the viewer, than it would be if he or she was viewing the original piece.  For example, he states that a person can have the same reaction to a viewing of a copy of the “Mona Lisa”, without ever having seen the original.  After the presentation of his book, James then travels around Italy with an art curator (played by the stunning Juliette Binoche), where they have lengthy discussions about the merits of his book and its observations, not only in regards to art, but to life as well. 

This might sound like dry and heady stuff, but it is actually very entertaining, particularly due to the performances from all the actors, as well as the fact that it is beautifully shot with small town Italy looking gorgeous as always.  At about halfway through the film, while the two stop at a little café for some breakfast, they are incorrectly identified by the owner of the café as husband and wife.  From this point on, the film changes, as James now becomes her husband (or plays the part of her absent husband), and the two of them begin to deal with the problems situated in their marriage.  I guess the point of this is to prove that even though this isn’t really her husband (ie. It is a copy), it doesn’t make the emotions she feels any less real. 

Speaking of emotions, Juliette Binoche’s performance is just outstanding (easily the best I saw at this year’s festival), and she plays her role with so much emotion, it is overwhelming.  There are times that she looks like that she could have a breakdown at any moment, she is on the edge.  It is very powerful and is the heart of the film.  There is a moment in the café (before the change) when James explains why he wrote the book.  The story he tells is about a mother and son, and we soon realize that it was actually the curator and her son about five years prior (which James does not now).  However, while the story is being told, it is played in a single shot on Binoche’s face, and we see it change when she realizes that it is her story, until a single tear slides down her cheek.  It is masterful, subtle acting that just took my breath away.  As well as all this, her ability to handle the three languages as beautifully and as seamlessly as she does, is just outstanding. 

Overall, you owe it to yourself just to witness Juliette Binoche’s spellbinding performance, but your enjoyment of the film as a whole may come down to whether or not you go along with the change mid-way through.  Personally I embraced it and as such, enjoyed this film immensely.

4 Stars - Viewed at the 2010 Melbourne International Film Festival