Certified Copy (2010) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A meeting between a writer and an antiques dealer turns into an ambiguous examination of authenticity, marriage, memory, and loneliness.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Author and the Reader

Miller promotes Certified Copy in Arezzo while a woman attends with her son to obtain signed books. She leaves early, but later meets Miller at her antiques shop.

Key Events

• Book Tour in Arezzo — Miller promotes his book about authenticity and reproduction. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo book event
• A Reader Arrives — An antiques dealer attends with her son to request signed copies. Location: Arezzo book event
• The Early Departure — The woman leaves early and gives her phone number to the Translator. Characters: The Translator Location: Arezzo book event
• A Son's Suggestion — The woman's son suggests she is romantically interested in Miller; she denies it. Location: Unspecified
• Meeting at the Shop — Miller and the woman meet at her shop before he proposes a drive. Characters: James Miller Location: The woman's antiques shop

A Debate on Copies

Miller and the woman drive through the area, discussing authenticity and his book's ideas. A museum visit and their disagreement about her son add strain to their conversation.

Key Events

• Meeting at the Shop — Miller and the woman meet at her shop before he proposes a drive. Characters: James Miller Location: The woman's antiques shop
• The Train Deadline — Miller agrees to go for a drive on the condition they return for his 9 p.m. train. Characters: James Miller Location: The woman's antiques shop
• Six Signed Copies — During the trip, Miller signs six copies, including one for the woman's sister, Marie. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo
• Debating Authenticity — They debate authenticity, simplicity, and the ideas behind Miller's book. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo
• The Mona Lisa Example — Miller argues that the Mona Lisa can be considered a copy of its model. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo
• Museum Disagreement — The woman takes Miller to see another famous copy, but he resists further examples. Characters: James Miller Location: Art museum
• Frustration over Her Son — The woman complains about her son's behavior, while Miller tries to rationalize it. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo

A Marriage Takes Shape

At a cafe, the Cafe Owner mistakes Miller for the woman's husband and speaks to her about marriage. Afterward, Miller and the woman begin speaking and acting as though they are a married couple, airing grievances about their relationship.

Key Events

• Coffee at the Cafe — Miller and the woman stop for coffee; the Cafe Owner mistakes Miller for her husband. Characters: James Miller, The Cafe Owner Location: Cafe
• Marriage Advice — The Cafe Owner speaks to the woman about the importance of marriage despite a partner's flaws. Characters: The Cafe Owner Location: Cafe
• The Couple's Story Shifts — After the cafe, they speak as though married and refer to the woman's son as their son. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo
• Anniversary Grievances — The woman describes an unhappy anniversary and complains of Miller's emotional distance and work travel. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo
• Advice from an Older Man — An older man gives Miller unsolicited advice that an affectionate gesture could mend the rift. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo city streets
• A Gesture of Affection — Miller puts his hand on the woman's shoulder as they walk away. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo city streets

The Hotel and the Unanswered Appeal

An argument at a restaurant separates the pair briefly before they go to the hotel where Miller and his wife spent their honeymoon. The woman appeals for acceptance, while Miller remains bound to his train departure.

Key Events

• A Gesture of Affection — Miller puts his hand on the woman's shoulder as they walk away. Characters: James Miller Location: Arezzo city streets
• Argument over Wine — Miller clashes with the waiter over the wine, argues with the woman, and leaves the restaurant. Characters: James Miller Location: Restaurant
• Return to the Hotel — The pair go to the hotel where Miller and his wife spent their honeymoon. Characters: James Miller Location: Hotel where Miller and the woman spent their honeymoon
• Honeymoon Room Memories — They tour the room and recall their wedding night, though Miller remembers few details. Characters: James Miller Location: Hotel room
• An Appeal against Loneliness — The woman urges acceptance of each other's faults, warning that the alternative is loneliness. Characters: James Miller Location: Hotel room
• The Train and the Bells — Miller says he must catch his train, looks in the mirror, and leaves as church bells toll eight. Characters: James Miller Location: Hotel bathroom

Story Breakdown

• Arezzo Book Tour — Miller presents his ideas about art and reproduction to an audience in Arezzo.
  • Book on Authenticity — Miller promotes Certified Copy and its argument that reproductions can be originals.
  • The Early Departure — The woman leaves the event with her son and gives her number to the Translator.
• Shop Meeting — The woman and Miller meet again and set out on a drive constrained by Miller's train schedule.
  • The Drive — Miller proposes a trip rather than browsing antiques at the shop.
  • Signed Books — Miller signs six copies, including one for the woman's sister, Marie.
• Authenticity Debate — Their exchanges about art reveal differing responses to the ideas in Miller's book.
  • Mona Lisa Example — Miller calls even the Mona Lisa a copy of its model, real or imagined.
  • Museum Disagreement — The woman proposes another example, but Miller is uninterested in extending his work.
• The Marriage Assumption — A stranger's assumption at the cafe precedes a shift in how Miller and the woman speak to one another.
  • Cafe Conversation — The Cafe Owner mistakes Miller for the woman's husband and discusses marriage with her.
  • Shared Family Language — The pair refer to the woman's son as their son and speak as though married.
• Grievances and Gestures — The imagined marital dynamic makes affection and dissatisfaction increasingly explicit.
  • Anniversary Complaint — The woman describes an unhappy anniversary and Miller's emotional distance.
  • Shoulder Gesture — Following an older man's advice, Miller places a hand on her shoulder.
• Hotel and Departure — At the honeymoon hotel, the pair revisit memories and face the prospect of loneliness and separation.
  • Restaurant Conflict — Miller argues over the wine and with the woman before leaving the restaurant.
  • Unanswered Appeal — The woman asks for acceptance, while Miller says he still must catch his train.

Directed by

Abbas Kiarostami

Key Cast

• Juliette Binoche — Elle
• William Shimell — James Miller
• Jean-Claude Carrière — The Man at the Square
• Agathe Natanson — The Woman at the Square
• Gianna Giachetti — The Cafe Owner