The film Like Someone in Love, directed by Abbas Kiarostami, follows the story of Akiko, a young woman who works as a student prostitute in Tokyo. She is sent to the house of an elderly man named Takashi, who mistakes her for his granddaughter. Akiko plays along with the old man's mistake and spends the night at his house.
The next day, Takashi's granddaughter shows up, and Akiko is forced to pretend to be her friend. The three of them spend the day together, visiting Tokyo tourist spots, and having conversations about their lives. Meanwhile, Akiko's boyfriend, Noriaki, becomes jealous and suspicious of her whereabouts.
As the day progresses, the relationship between Akiko and Takashi becomes more complicated. He becomes emotionally attached to her, and she starts to feel guilty for deceiving him. At one point, Akiko offers herself physically to Takashi, but he refuses, sensing that she is not fully committed.
The film ends with Akiko and Noriaki fighting in a car, while Takashi watches them from a distance. The web of emotional entanglements between the three characters is never fully resolved.
Like Someone in Love is a complex and subtle exploration of loneliness, desire, and identity. The film is shot in Kiarostami's signature style, with long takes and naturalistic performances. It was well-received by critics and won the Best Film award at the 2012 Chicago International Film Festival.
