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- Memoirs of a Geisha
- Timix1's review
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| Value for Money | 6.7/10  |
|---|---|
| Reviewer Rating | 6.7/10 |
| Overall Rating | 7.5/10  |
By Timix1
on 12th Feb 2006
| Starring Actor/Actress | Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Watanabe |
|---|---|
| Where Did You See It? | Cinema |
| Value for money | 7/10 |
| Overall value | 7/10 |
 Timix1's recommendation | |
Beautiful shot, with strong performances by the three lead actresses.
Lacks passion at times.
Like the Japanese hostess of its title, this movie is beautiful to look at but keeps you at arms' length. The three lead actresses - especially Gong Li as the selfish, bitter Hotsumomo - are a pleasure to watch, and the sumptuous sets and costumes help create a unique world that is completely alien to most of us Westerners. That being said, the movie version skimps on much of the intricate details of the geisha lifestyle that Arthur Golden's book expertly fleshes out. Also, lead character Sayuri's fixation on the much older Chairman (Ken Watanabe) makes for an awkward (not to mention creepy) romance that never creates any real heat.
As such, the end result is not as emotionally involving as one might hope, but in a strange way that seems almost appropriate in this case; forgive the cheesy metaphor, but the geisha is something of an exotic and delicate flower that you're meant to see and smell but never touch. The geisha will oblige in entertaining you (that's her job) but keeps her distance because, frankly, she knows she's too good for you. Whether or not it's intentional, the movie leaves you with the same feeling at times. Still, you can't help rooting for young Sayuri (a resplendent Zhang Ziyi) as she slowly transforms herself from the impoverished daughter of a fisherman to Japan's most celebrated geisha. Flawed yet often absorbing, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA mostly works.
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