Quick Info
This is one of those romance dramas you stumble on and realize halfway through that you’ve never quite seen anything like it. “Certified Copy” (directed by Abbas Kiarostami) follows an English writer (played by William Shimell) and a French antiques dealer (the always captivating Juliette Binoche) who meet in Tuscany. At first, it seems like they’re strangers, but as they wander through sunlit villages, their conversation blurs the lines between reality and performance, until you’re questioning whether they’re newly acquainted or perhaps long-married.
What really stood out to me is that the entire film is built almost entirely from conversation — sometimes playful, sometimes tense, and often surprisingly moving. Binoche is brilliant, shifting with ease from flirtation to frustration, and William Shimell, though not a professional actor, brings this careful restraint that actually works for the film’s shifting tone. The chemistry they develop is a puzzle in itself, and there’s a sly sense of mischief in how the movie keeps you guessing about what you’re really seeing.
If there’s a drawback, it’s that the ambiguity can be frustrating at times. The movie is definitely not for everyone — if you like your romance straightforward and your endings clear, this might leave you a bit exasperated. Some stretches do get a little dialogue-heavy, and there are moments where I found myself wishing for a touch more narrative drive or background for the characters.
But visually, it’s lovely. Kiarostami knows how to use a setting, and the film’s strolls through Italian squares and art galleries are as much about atmosphere as plot. The camera lingers patiently, sometimes in single takes that let you get absorbed in the scenery and the subtle expressions of the actors. The script also has some interesting reflections about authenticity in art and relationships, which gives you something to chew on after the credits roll.
You would enjoy this if you’re into talky, European-style romances that leave you a bit unsettled and thoughtful, or if you’ve ever liked a Richard Linklater “Before Sunrise”-type movie. Definitely for fans of performances over plot, or anyone who appreciates a film that invites you to question what’s real in love — and in storytelling.
