Movie Expectations: 'Certified Copy'

Entertainment, Mica D'Orleans, Writing Contributors:

By LadyDoshka on March 7, 2011 12:45 PM

By Mica D'Orléans

Well, I've heard of him, but never saw any of his films. After watching the preview for Certified Copy I have joined the Abbas Kiarostami fan camp.

According to my research, he is part of the Iranian New Wave that began in the late 1960's, and is known for his experimental and documentary style of filmmaking. After a long stretch away from the narrative, he has returned to it, but in a style I would like to tag as cinéma réalité. Not really cinéma vérité because although it has a realistic quality, the intimate close-ups with direct stares into the camera, the almost uncensored flow of acting, and slow pace of the story makes you aware of your voyeurism and the fact that you are in a dark theatre, watching a movie.

Certified Copy plays with our interpretation of reality by putting together two people who are either entering a new relationship, or on the verge of exiting a 15 year marriage. The story unfolds in Tuscany where a flirtatious yet mercurial gallery owner (Juliette Binoche) is instantly smitten by the charming though somewhat aloof British author, James Miller (William Shimell). By refusing to define the couple's relationship, Kiarostami forces the viewer to focus on the emotional situation that arises. Like Miller who claims that an original painting can be seen as the copy of a model, the difference between a bona fide original and one's ideal is continually questioned. At a certain point in the film, a matronly café owner summarizes the intended message with, "It would be stupid to ruin our lives for an ideal."

I can't say this film is for everybody. If you're more the cerebral type who likes having your mind teased with philosophical innuendos, enjoy tongue-in-cheek humor, do not mind slow-paced movies, and hungry for a subject that can inspire stimulating conversation, then Certified Copy is the film for you.

Certified Copy opens on Friday, March 11 in New York (and LA) at the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas and IFC Center.

Image courtesy of Susan Norget Film Promotions

By 1LadyDoshka on March 7, 2011 12:45 PM 0

Abbas Kiarostami,

Lincoln Plaza Cinemas,

William Shimell

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Welcome to Lady Doshka! Lady Doshka is a freelance entertainment, fashion, and celebrity news writer who has penned articles for websites such as Frillr.com and V Magazine Online. As a regular contributor to Starpulse.com she has had the opportunity to interview a number of celebrities as well as create her own weekly fashion column for the site. On this blog you’ll find pleasing tidbits about fashion, luxury items, food & gourmet, entertainment, and travel. Though these topics will be the primary focus, LadyDoshka will not hesitate to also keep you informed on anything else which captures her fancy and do it with ladylike delight.

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