Review of Like Someone in Love (2012) by Harpreet S — 23 Mar 2013

Abbas Kiarostami's "Like Someone in Love" was one of my two most anticipated films of 2013 along with Godard's upcoming venture, unfortunately it disappoints. It's his second (fiction) feature outside of Iran after "Certified Copy," which I loved.

The story concerns a young prostitute and her relationship with an old man in Japan. Along with the two leads there is another character involved; the whole story revolves around these three which takes place in two days.

I am baffled; it's almost as if someone cut off the film before its conclusion, some sort of fulfillment, or a hint of sayonara. I can only appreciate it in segments; Akiko listening to her grandmother's voicemails or the conversation a neighbor has with Akiko in front of Takashi (the old man)'s house, the profound sadness in Takashi's eyes at times, etc.

Abbas Kiarostami is a grandmaster and you can certainly see that in his compositions, how he orchestrates a shot, etc. But, unlike his previous works he deprives us from gaining any knowledge of what's going on.

I didn't find its slow moving pace tedious, actually was engaged and fascinated by the idea where the story might head to, but it goes nowhere. And I was not convinced of the attachment from the woman's side, only could comprehend some sort of love from the old man.

Even though I said I loved "Certified Copy" and consider it one of his three great films along with "Close-Up" and "The Wind Will Carry Us," I hope he goes back to making films in his native Iran.

It's fascinating to see how he is able to direct in Italy and Japan with non-Iranian and/or professional actresses such as Juliette Binoche, still I long for the days when he captured the Persian landscape unlike any other.

"Like Someone in Love" has its peculiarities, I liked it but can't convince myself of its intentions being genuine. I have no idea where Kiarostami was going with this.