CERTIFIED COPY

Pepe's View:

We saw this film as part of  BIFF (Brisbane International Film Festival) and I must admit it left me totally confused but fascinated.  Much argument ensued as to whether the couple were married - lots of clues seem to indicate they were but it appears that they were never married and the plot as developed stands intact.
Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami's first feature outside of his native country is very very interesting and riveting.  Juliette Binoche is wonderful as usual as the unnamed woman (she won best actress at Cannes for the role) and English singer William Shimmell is totally believable in his first movie role as James Miller - an author who believes that a "copy" of art works is just as relevant as the original.  Juliette Binoche gives James' manager a note with her phone number and when James comes to her shop, they proceed on a "date".  Things are not as they seem however - they seem too familiar with each other and comfortable in their dialogue perhaps to have never previously met and when they begin acting as a married couple after being mistaken for one by the waitress in the coffee shop, the script becomes really confusing.
The scenery is fantastic - it really captures the Tuscan village they are visiting and altough it is a long film - almost 2 hrs - time flies as I was captivated by the relationship and of course the acting.
After reading many reviews I have come to understand that the couple were not married but the director and writer were simply having the protagonists play out the roles of many relationships before them (and no doubt after them) - a sort of universal love story.  When James becomes cranky and moody at the woman's insistance they are photographed with newlyweds it seems that he wants to shout that these young marrieds will have their rose coloured glasses removed over time and settle into a relationship as much out of habit as of love.
A fascinating film that stayed with me long after leaving the theatre.

My Score:  8/10

Agreed it is absolutely fascinating and the acting superb - hard to believe William Shimmell was a first-time actor as he is in no way shown up by the formidable talent of Binoche!  As for the plot - I believe it was deliberately left obscure whether or not they had been married before.  If they were not (as other reviews state) then they certainly acted out the film title, presenting a copy of a marriage relationship that fooled not only the people they encountered but this viewer as well!

It is this mismatch between the fact that they are supposed virtual strangers at the outset yet act in many circumstances like a previously married couple, that makes the film so interesting.  The viewer is always picking up clues that don't match the situation.  If they were not married before then the woman is attempting to act out a 15 year relationship that never existed which means she is a bit loopy to say the least and it is no wonder the man gets irritated and begins to act the part of the detached, unemotional ex-husband.  My sentimental nature wanted it all to come right in the end but of course that would be trite!

And isn't this globalisation of the film industry wonderful?  An Iranian director makes a film set in Italy which stars a French actress and an English baritone!

All in all, very enjoyable and thought-provoking.

My score:  8.5/10