Good morning,
ladies and gentlemen
I'm here to say a few words
to cut the waiting
we're waiting for James Miller,
who is a little late
he won't be able
to blame the trafic,
because he's just upstairs!
I hope he'll be here soon.
We're here for the presentation
of James' latest work,
''Certified Copy''
for which he just received
the prize of the best
foreign essay of the year.
That's it,
I have finished,
James just arrived!
Please everybody, take a sit,
Please wait the end of
the conference for dedications.
I won't introduce James to you,
he'll introduce himself,
probably better than anyboby.
Good morning!
I would like to thank my colleague
and friend Marco Lenzi,
who did ''an'' translation...
... ''a'' perfect translation and...
he succeeded in rendering the spirit of it.
His work permitted the italian
publication and our meeting, here.
Congratulations and many thanks again.
- Would you like to take off the backpack?
- No, I'm fine.
It's too heavy.
Come on.
- You ordered a cheesebuger?
- Yes.
- Chips?
- Yes.
Double?
- I know you do not eat them.
- And the coke?
Could you look at me
when I'm talking to you?
Coke?
Yes
How many of those
books have you bought?
Six.
- Thank goodness you did not like them...
- I never said.
But I heard you
say it to Pierre.
I did not say that I liked them, I said that
I did not understand the steps.
Yes, but then he explained
them, and then...
Yes, he explained them,
but I was not convinced.
And why have you bought so many?
To talk about them and
give them away.
- To who?
- Marie, too.
But she has it already...
In fact I will give you
an autographed copy.
It's a good idea, no?
You're doing this only because you want
to see him again...
- Do you want to see the man again!
- Maybe...
And the others, who are they for?
- There's one for Alain.
- But you can not stand it!
I'll give a book that I do not
like to a person I do not like.
- I have the right, right?
- Yes, you have every right.
And I know what you
said to that guy?
- What guy?
- The friend of the writer.
No, look, you always
know everything?
But you always say that we are friends
and we have to tell everything.
But just because you said you wanted
me to tell you about Elisa, right?
- Never mind, I already knew everything!
- Very good!
I know very well that you like James, you've
decided to fall in love with him
and you gave your number to
his friend to call you.
But nothing!
Yes, I left my phone number,
but that's not why I did it.
I want to know a little more
about his book, it's my job,
I had no chance!
You didn't let me listen,
you didn't stop for a moment,
in the end we had to leave.
You weren't listening!
All the time whispering
- in the ear of that... Mark
- you were not even listening,
You didn't stop playing with
that thing for a moment!
At least I did, yes
I have played.
At least I've heard, but
you looked at him...
Why do not you mind your own business!
There is no reason to be angry then.
Here we are, me and you,
we chat a bit, eat something.
. .
Yes, we chat...
I really do not understand
why you take it so badly.
I do not take it badly,
you get on my nerves.
And you need to cut your
hair, this fringe!
Just tell me this, OK, last
question then I stop,
Just one thing...
Why you did not want to put...
- My last name in the dedication?
- Enough!
- You're really exaggerating!
- My name is... Julien.
- I'm Julien, I have a last name.
- I'm getting angry, stop.
A last name!
- Are you going out?
- Yes.
- Are you coming back for lunch?
- No, I don't think so.
Okay.
Tell Julien that he has rehearsals at two.
The teacher is coming.
All right.
- You'll tell him?
- Yes, of course.
''Better a good copy than the original. ''
Yes?
But no, that's not possible.
What?
Speak louder I can't hear you!
No, no, tell me later,
I can't talk now.
Yes, but I can not talk
right now, you know.
Listen, I do not know, and
I can't tell you if I do not know.
I'm not very far away.
Listen, listen, I don't know yet.
Okay?
Yes, after everything I say.
Now I can not, tell
us about yourself.
Okay? Till later anyway.
I don't understand.
The point is that...
they believed that this was the
original for many centuries,
but they found fifty years
ago that it was not.
But it was painted... I think
it was a fresco of Hercules...
dating back to Roman times.
Yes, the Roman era.
Because they wanted to have a great piece, ...
they wanted to be able to amaze and
then just as I was saying...
His coffee is cold, now.
He's like this, you know...
He's a good husband, I think.
What?
He's a good husband, I'm pretty sure.
How can you be so sure?
I can see it.
Where do you come from, lady?
I... come from France.
And how come you speak italian?
I live in Italy for 5 years.
Where?
First in Firenze, now in Arezzo.
Why do you speak english?
He... is english.
And he doesn't speak your language,
No, no.
... neither italian.
No.
- Actually he only speaks
his own language...
Yes, yes.
- And you speak english too.
Congratulations.
- Yes, he has no interest
in foreign languages,
Actually, he's not interested
in anything,
only in himself and his work.
It's better like this :
a man must like his job.
And what about us, women?
Working keep them busy.
and we look after ourselves.
- I didn't get married
to find myself alone!
I would like to share my life
with my husband.
Am I expecting too much?
By wanting a good husband?
- Life is not so terrible,
if the only problem is...
a very busy working-husband.
Better a man busy for his work
than for another woman!
- We work too, but
with moderation.
- We decide to be moderate, but them,
they cannot stop working.
It's as if we asked them
to stop breathing :
It's not possible.
I never asked my husband to stop.
- Of course!
How could you?
The world could stop working :
don't put a spoke in their wheel
- My sister, she likes to know
her husband is at work, most of the time!
This is a particular case.
Don't you think that
moderation should be in all things?
- It would be ideal,
but ideal doesn't exist.
Wine, please...
I'm coming.
It would be stupid to feel miserable
because of an ideal.
Please keep it secret.
They don't need to notice that.
- How can I be happy
with an absent husband?
They're not really completely absent :
your husband made you a married woman,
and this is what really matters.
You only understand that
with age.
For how long have you been married?
For 15 years.
Have you got children?
A son.
Last week,
my husband even forgot
his son's birthday!
I can't believe that!
- Like I said :
he only thinks about himself and work!
... and about friends...
Yes, surely...
... and about lovers.
I don't know.
But you're trying to find...
... to whom he's talking
on sundays.
No, I'm just looking at him.
Yes, but with suspicion,
while I'm admiring him.
- Why do you admire him?
Can you tell me?
With pleasure.
Most of the men like to have a lie-in,
on sundays.
But your husband went out with you,
took you to a coffee bar,
he told you stories
with pleasure,
it seems that he's always
trying to seduce you...
Really?
If he were shaved, he would be perfect.
He only shaves every two days.
Even on our wedding day, he didn't shave!
- You should be used to,
from now onwards.
- Yes.
On the wedding day, my uncle asked me...
... why my husband didn't shave.
I told him I didn't know.
so he asked him :
'' Shouldn't you shave on your wedding day? ''
My husband answered,
touching slowly his beard :
''I shave...
... every two days! ''
Do you want another coffee?
It's so strange
that you don't speak italian
like your wife living here
for 5 years with your son.
No, there is no one at home.
It's Sunday. It is closed.
Search and you will find it.
There's no one at home,
you'll have to find it.
Search...
No, don't go, don't bother
going to the nearby, go...
Go upstairs to my office on the first floor!
Go, I'll wait! Go!
Yes, you're in my office now?
''Well, then...
Pull the drawer, the middle one,
right from your left.
It has three drawers
and it's the middle one.
Then, pull!
- It is empty.
- Pull, you idiot.
Pull, at the bottom.
It's empty, why don't
you believe me?
Yes, I...
If I come home and find it, I...
I'll kill you!
No, no, no!
In the front!
Look hard, try to find it!
Wait, I'm putting the phone
down for a moment...
Yes. Then you found it?
It is at the bottom.
Well spotted!
Now just sit down to study, okay?
I still do not know...
do not call me.
And don't even call Marie.
But you're coming back tonight?
I don't know, really,
I don't know...
Get to work! Hurry up! Study...
Dumb!
The certified copy of his father.
There is nothing to do!
He wants, he wants to, can not hear
anyone, just does his own thing!
With children there is
always a solution.
Yes, but I can not find it,
and you're never...
One of them has to be severe,
so the other can be sweeter.
A good and bad.
If there is one person who
plays the two roles it's...
impossible, I...
And I'm supposed to play the
role of the bad, right?
You do not need to
pray, my dear.
The lady at the coffee shop said...
in life you have a husband,
good or bad,
let it be.
I told him that we got married
here fifteen years ago
and we are back to celebrate
the anniversary.
- Come on.
- No thanks.
He's dying to take a picture, come!
He asked me if we are happy.
And I said, yes, very!
Please! Otherwise I'll be really
embarrassed by...
- No.
- Come on.
Sir,
join us for a photograph
sorry
my wife would be really happy
I'm sorry...
Ok, as you want.
We're waiting for you...
for a long time.
Ok, we're coming soon.
Please, I insist,
come and join us!
You can't say no,
it's my wedding day!
You told him good things?
I do not understand why
that ironic tone.
You're just like your son.
I like it.
What do you like?
Not having to explain
anything or convince you.
I wonder how you can
convince yourself.
You're a real art expert, right?
Do not see it as a work of art.
It is the subject
that I like...
The subject?
I like how she leans her
head on his shoulder.
It's amazing how often
you are...
so banal.
For me it is amazing how
often you are so...
irresponsible.
Irresponsible, me?
But this man has nothing
to do but
protect this woman.
For this he was made immortal.
Immortalized?
You can not be
immortalized in this way,
it's ridiculous!
You do not understand...
Look, I'm not going to
share this debate.
Share with a friend, you know
what it means to share?
Have you ever shared?
Come on, you're really
exaggerating.
You're right.
I do not share your opinion.
The only thing you notice is
a woman who rests her head
on the shoulder
of that... monster.
Honestly, you embarrass me.
I embarrass you?
But that is because it protects
reached eternity.
I know what I mean, who are
you to say.
Do you not know the answer?
I will not answer, it's stupid.
Then, your book is stupid.
I thought you were not interested in the
work itself, but the look.
The look, the one on her.
I thought...
your approach was...
subjective, personal,
creative, inventive, I know.
What counts? The technique?
The reputation of the artist?
The eye does not count? Answer!
Answer me this!
No, I don't want to.
What you say makes
me hate everything
art,
the original copies, this statue
you, all!
I know you hate me and I...
We can not do anything with it.
At least try, try to
be more consistent.
In what sense?
I want us to quote parts
of your book?
It's my right as a reader
to ask you this!
We're going to see the sculpture,
and then speak of its value.
- No.
- Let's see it up close...
No, I have nothing to say
about its value...
It is you who see it
as a masterpiece.
Yes! And I want to show you exactly why.
Come, let's see.
We're going to ask those people.
Next, let's ask.
The only thing you need
to do is wait.
Can you hear me? Wait... it's not a
decision you can make by yourself.
No, no way!
First of all, you do not have the right...
I do not have the right!
Listen, take your time and wait.
And do me a favor and
do not contradict me.
You know that we talk
about it together...
And you also know it was wrong.
You're wrong! Ready?
I do not hear you anymore...
Wait, I'm moving...
can not hear you.
Hello? Yes, there we are.
- Just tell her to call from the hotel.
- Yes, I will call you back.
All right?
Yes, a kiss for Anna...
Excuse me, may I ask an opinion?
I am with my husband, an expert on
the concept of cultural heritage,
and we were talking about the sculpture
and I'd like to know what you...
Would you mind repeating it to my husband?
We were just talking about...
Your husband?
No, no, it's a pleasure.
- James Miller.
- Good morning. Pleasure.
- Meet my wife.
- I want your opinion.
Please my dear.
As I said, he is an expert on the
concept of cultural heritage.
What interests him is the psychological
impact of the work on the public.
- If you repeat your opinion...
- it's not the first time we have come.
- The fourth, I think...
- The fifth.
We are here essentially to admire
the works of art.
Why, we all know, Italy
is an open-air museum.
You know that one quarter of the heritage
world heritage... I say...
- art belongs to Italy?
- My husband is not interested in this.
He would like to know what you think of...
What you have said before is perfect.
- The idea of the power...
- I, I pointed out... .
that this statue... or what
the artist wanted to convey...
is the omnipotence of man.
So, in a single block...
It is only one block or are there more pieces?
I do not know, I do not see well...
May we approach a bit?
Repeat what you said before,
it was a nice thing...
You said that what struck you
in this sculpture was...
the serenity of the woman's face...
as it is rested on the man's shoulder.
It gave you the impression that
she had found someone to count on...
- And that she did not feel alone anymore.
- Yes, but you said...
- But you were in agreement...
- Yes, it is a very good impression.
- But when you look at that statue...
- Excuse me, I did not catch your name...
- J... James?
- James is fine.
- I'll tell you something, can I talk to you?
- Sure.
You clearly an educated
man, seriously...
and you could be my son...
I would like to give
fatherly advice... .
- Can I?
- I'm listening.
Before I ask you...
I'm curious...
No, I'll get straight
to the point...
I think the only thing
she wants...
is that you walk beside her and
lay your hand on her shoulder.
It's everything you
would expect.
But she is critical...
I do not know what happened between
you... I can not know. And I do not care.
It does not concern me.
But all your problems...
could be erased...
with a simple gesture.
This gesture.
Do it... let go...
Do not make things more complicated
than they are!
Yes. . thanks for the advice...
but now we must go.
We are looking for a place to eat.
- A restaurant?
- Yes.
- There is a great restaurant here in front.
- Really?
I recommend it, it's really good.
- Shall we go?
- Okay.
Glad to have met you.
It was a beautiful evening...
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye... Very nice...
- Thank you, thank you very much.
- Goodbye.
- Are you hungry?
- Very... yes.
But it's too late for lunch.
It's too early for dinner!
There is no one...
Would you like red?
- There are some good wines here?
- Yes. .
In short, they are not as good as
ours, but better than yours!
Very nice!
I'm joking...
What? What's happening?
Why did we come here?
What's wrong?
Taste... and tell me.
Yes, it's a bit...
Corked!
Yes, a lot... !
Yes, you can't drink it.
We'll change it.
It is not a problem...
It is a convention... You taste it,
you say that is good... that's all.
You're too demanding...
you can not find an exceptional
wine list in a small trattoria
lost in the middle of Tuscany!
And then, well...
the taste is not that bad...
You're completely mad...
Why do you do that?
Why not try to relax instead
of complaining all the time?
Try to be more present...
Look around. Are you with me, you know?
Look, it's the first couple!
- God, I hate them!
- It is them!
It is a beautiful place...
See how beautiful they both are,
they sound like lovebirds.
Look... your wife...
has made herself beautiful for you today...
Look!
Open your eyes!
So what is the right time?
Tell me when is the time right?
Even last night... There has never...
when is the time right?
- Last night?
- Yes, last night...
For once you did not forget
our anniversary.
You're back after a fortnight and
I believe that travel was for work.
I leave the bathroom and what do I see?
The man is snoring. Like a log.
I tried to move the pillow to
see if maybe you would wake up...
you moved slightly
and then...
I've looked for a moment
and then...
you went back to sleep.
... So tell me...
When is the right time?
Wait... But that effort!
Am I dreaming?
I too am tired!
Why can't you say that you love me anymore?
How are you?
Well! Very well, thank you!
And for what?
Just... Tell me.
No, I've watched them enough,
Then what do you have to say?
Ah yes, what?
I'm all ears, as well.
Of course I remember, I have made that
journey a thousand times at least.
And I know what I say...
I remember I was always alone, and that
I had to drive back and forth.
So what should I remember?
What are you getting at?
Because I was tired...
But is not comparable...
We are talking about the evening
of our fifteenth anniversary.
It is not an ordinary day.
Fifteen years of marriage!
Our anniversary and what do you do?
You snore!
It's shameful! You snore!
What? But I was getting ready.
I mean, you're crazy!
I was looking good for you!
You do not want that either!
I was putting on my makeup...
It takes time to look good,
You should know... after 15 years
- I wanted to settle down, but you...
you don't care
Check.
All right?
All right...
If I knew that we were coming here I would
not have put these shoes.
Nothing has changed here...
You... You are changed...
I've changed?
I don't believe you've
gone to church before.
I just wanted to
take off my bra.
But I...
I saw you were praying. Right?
You were praying.
I wanted a little moment
of solitude.
And the circles in the church?
Why?
I could not breathe...
I felt oppressed...
Here's proof.
I have the marks of the bra,
if you want I'll show you.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
You did not even notice that
I had put on lipstick.
- Did you notice?
- But yes, I...
You were not even aware that I
had and I had put on the earrings.
The point is that you do
not see me anymore.
I, however, I realized immediately
that you had changed your perfume...
You could have shaved
for me today?
For our anniversary...
It is a habit...
- I shave every two days.
- I know.
Remember the hotel of
our wedding night?
- It's around here?
- See if you can find it... it's nearby.
It's that one there.
No.
Search...
Good evening,
I and my husband
spent our wedding-night
here,
in room 9.
Could it be possible
to take a look at it,
It seems to be free.
We want to remember
that night.
Thanks.
Room 9,
third floor.
Turn it off please.
Look out the window, see if
you recognize something.
Look to the left.
You see?
Do you remember?
Don't you remember?
You do not remember anything!
I can't believe you forgot.
Come, come and see this side.
Look.
Do you remember now?
Right there, look.
See?
You know that I have
no recollection.
So I've been put to the test...
If I lie here...
I remember everything.
You slept on this
side, remember?
This pillow had your scent.
I remember all the details...
Like what?
Want me to tell you them?
I can tell you, if you want.
You see, nothing has changed.
You are not changed...
always you.
You're always sweet...
fascinating...
and cold.
I know that you do it to
protect yourself...
but you are always so cold.
That's not true.
What is not true?
- I've changed?
- You?
You are even more beautiful.
- And more stupid...
- No.
I never said that... never...
If we were a bit more tolerant
of the faults of...
it would be less lonely.
I know you can...
you can be alone, but...
Those first two... those gentlemen...
I have come to envy...
That pair of old guys...
I don't know...
Stay...
Stay...
... It is better for both
of us, it's best...
for you and me.
Give us this chance.
Like I said...
I have to take a train at nine.
Yes, I know...