Certified Copy
James Miller has just written a book on the value of a copy versus the original work of art. At a book reading, a woman gives him her address, and the next day they meet and take a country-side drive to a local Italian village. Here, they discuss various works of art found in the town, and also the nature of their relationship - which gets both more revealed and concealed as the day progresses.
Working with a small-scale budget of $7.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $7.7M in global revenue (+11% profit margin).
11 wins & 29 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Certified Copy (2010) showcases precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Abbas Kiarostami's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Elle
James Miller
Main Cast & Characters
Elle
Played by Juliette Binoche
A French antiques dealer and gallery owner who serves as guide through Tuscany, exploring questions of authenticity in art and relationships.
James Miller
Played by William Shimell
A British writer promoting his book about copies and originals in art, whose encounter with Elle becomes an exploration of truth and performance.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Elle sits in a book presentation audience, distracted by her son, watching author James Miller discuss his book about copies and originals. She appears unfulfilled, torn between intellectual curiosity and domestic responsibilities.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Elle boldly offers to drive James to the Tuscan countryside to see a place where a famous sculpture was copied. This unexpected invitation disrupts his solitary book tour and initiates their intimate day-long journey together.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to They arrive in the hilltop village and choose to continue their journey together through the town. James accepts Elle's guidance into this intimate exploration, moving from professional distance to personal connection., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat In a restaurant, Elle fully commits to the marriage performance, publicly claiming they ARE married and recounting intimate memories. James resists, confused and uncomfortable. The playful ambiguity becomes painful confrontation—what began as possibility now reveals genuine hurt and distance., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (77% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, In their hotel room, Elle breaks down completely, confronting James with the pain of their marriage—whether real or imagined. The performance collapses into raw emotion. She reveals the depth of loneliness and disconnection she feels. The "death" is of illusion—neither the perfect day nor the perfect copy can satisfy., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. James returns to the hotel room. Without words, he accepts the role—whether husband, companion, or compassionate witness. The breakthrough is acceptance: perhaps the distinction between authentic and copy doesn't matter if the experience itself has value., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Certified Copy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Certified Copy against these established plot points, we can identify how Abbas Kiarostami utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Certified Copy within the drama genre.
Abbas Kiarostami's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Abbas Kiarostami films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Certified Copy represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Abbas Kiarostami filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Abbas Kiarostami analyses, see Where Is the Friend's House?, Taste of Cherry.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Elle sits in a book presentation audience, distracted by her son, watching author James Miller discuss his book about copies and originals. She appears unfulfilled, torn between intellectual curiosity and domestic responsibilities.
Theme
James Miller states the film's central thesis during his presentation: "A copy of a masterpiece can have as much value as the original." This question of authenticity—in art and in life—becomes the thematic spine of their journey.
Worldbuilding
Elle's antique shop, her relationship with her son, her interest in Miller's work. We establish she is single, cultured, restless, and seeking something authentic in a world of reproductions. James is intellectual, detached, newly arrived in Tuscany.
Disruption
Elle boldly offers to drive James to the Tuscan countryside to see a place where a famous sculpture was copied. This unexpected invitation disrupts his solitary book tour and initiates their intimate day-long journey together.
Resistance
The car journey—they discuss art, authenticity, relationships, and value. Elle reveals personal details about her failed marriage. James remains professionally distant but engaged. Both are testing the boundaries of this spontaneous connection.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
They arrive in the hilltop village and choose to continue their journey together through the town. James accepts Elle's guidance into this intimate exploration, moving from professional distance to personal connection.
Mirror World
In a café, they observe an elderly married couple. The old woman mistakes them for husband and wife. This encounter introduces the "marriage mirror"—a relationship that reflects what theirs could be, or perhaps already is.
Premise
The promise of the premise: "Are they married or strangers?" They visit the piazza, museum, and restaurants. After the café encounter, Elle begins treating James as her husband, and he gradually accepts the role. The ambiguity itself becomes the pleasure.
Midpoint
In a restaurant, Elle fully commits to the marriage performance, publicly claiming they ARE married and recounting intimate memories. James resists, confused and uncomfortable. The playful ambiguity becomes painful confrontation—what began as possibility now reveals genuine hurt and distance.
Opposition
Elle becomes increasingly emotional and accusatory, dredging up marital resentments (real or performed): his neglect, a forgotten anniversary, his dismissiveness. James defensively accepts the husband role but remains detached. The tension escalates through multiple locations—restaurant, streets, hotel.
Collapse
In their hotel room, Elle breaks down completely, confronting James with the pain of their marriage—whether real or imagined. The performance collapses into raw emotion. She reveals the depth of loneliness and disconnection she feels. The "death" is of illusion—neither the perfect day nor the perfect copy can satisfy.
Crisis
James leaves the hotel room, sitting alone outside. Elle remains inside, devastated. Both process the emotional wreckage of their day. The silence speaks to whether connection is ever truly authentic or always a performance we choose to believe.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
James returns to the hotel room. Without words, he accepts the role—whether husband, companion, or compassionate witness. The breakthrough is acceptance: perhaps the distinction between authentic and copy doesn't matter if the experience itself has value.
Synthesis
They share the hotel room in quiet companionship. They prepare for an evening event together as a couple. The performance continues, but now with mutual consent and tenderness. The finale synthesizes the theme: they choose the copy, the performance, the shared fiction.
Transformation
Elle, elegantly dressed, descends the hotel stairs to meet James. They walk together into the evening as a married couple—whether they truly are remains beautifully, deliberately unclear. The final image mirrors the opening: a performance with genuine emotional value.