Like Someone in Love
Raiku Samuwan In Rabu

Abbas Kiarostami, Iran’s preeminent filmmaker, continues his self-imposed cinematic exile from his native country with this Japanese language film set in Tokyo but told in his distinctive style.  I often refer to this director as “Car-astami,” because so much of so many of his movies takes place inside cars and other vehicles. This film is no exception and I’m amazed that he can still find fresh ways to utilize the intimate positioning of driver and passenger for storytelling purposes, as well as find new and interesting ways the use the framing and reflective properties of windows and windshields.  However, I do get a little weary of his automotive obsession, especially now that he seems to have permanently switched from the warm look of film to the cold look of HD video. I get even more annoyed when one of his films fails to deliver on its potential, as is the case here. 

There are many intriguing ideas in this movie; both visual and thematic, and one cannot help but get caught up in Kiarostami’s subtle exploration of them.  But alas, Like Someone In Love is more Taste-of-Cherry-frustrating than Certified-Copy-engrossing. The film refuses to tell a complete story; it feels more like a series of thoughts and abstractions than an actual narrative. And since it is a narrative film, it requires more of a through line than Kiarostami has provided to keep me from feeling slighted.