Memoirs of a Geisha

Although I did't read the book, this movie contains almost all the ingredients a really memorable movie needs to succeed. From the begining to the end, this charming Japanese film is very beautiful to watch. Not only does it contain an incredible story line, but also it makes a surprisingly fantastic use of the set, costumes and features of the native culture. Furthermore, despite the fact that it is basically a love story it is also based on a true story about war and the destruction of the Japanese style of living after it.

a girly movie, but still good! defeninitely wont regret watching it.

This film is based on the best selling novel by Arthur Golden. I myself hadn't read the book, so i wasn't really sure what to expect with the film. However i must say that i was extremely pleasantly surprised with this film.

The story followsa young girl, chio, who is sold by her father to a geisha house. The film follows her growth from a young girl into sayuri, the legendary geisha, who captivates the most powerful men of the day, but is haunted by her love for the one man she cannot have.

I thought that the storyline was incredible, and its execution within the film was truly captivating. I could not bear to leave the room or put this film on pause it gripped me, and pulls you into a world tat you could never have imagined existed. Its secrets and mysteries are unveiled in a gripping and heartfelt manner.

The actors cast were superb, and perfect for their roles, the case included Ziyi Zhang (house of flying daggers), Ken Watanabe (Batman Begins) and Michelle Yeoh (Crouching tiger hidden dragon)

I particularly liked the fact that Ziyi was cast as the beautiful sayuri. In my opinion no one coul have filled the role better than she did, her performance was flawless, and she draws you right into the heart of her character

The movie won 3 Oscars in 2006 for costume design art direction and cinematography. All of which were well deserved awards.

I [articularly thought that the costumes used in the film were incredible. The accurately reflected the clothing of the period in which the movie was set, and featured many diferent Kimonos, the designs of which were absolutely breathtaking.

The dvd itself also has bonus features including

audio commentries, and featurettes on the look of a geisha, geisha bootcamp and the world of a geisha. I havent watched them all, but the ones that i have watched have been really interesting to watch.

However this film would not have been complete without the musical arrangements and compositions that were created for the film. The musical scores were astounding, and really helped to bring the film to life.

The music emphasises the emotion in the film, and really helps to complete the film.

Overall i thought this was a fantastic film, i would definately recommend to anyone, whether or not they have read the book.

certificate 12

Running time approx 139 mins

I just love the Memoirs of a Geisha movie and i want to own it. The whole of the movie was really interesting!!!

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.

Memoirs of a Geisha is indeed, as many have said, a cherry-blossom laden Westernised vision of Japan - with the most schmaltzy Hollywood ending since Doris Day and Rock Hudson rode off into the the sunset - (and I think the joke was on us, dear reader!)

As a non-Japanese with an interest in the culture, I found several inaccuracies; although trivial on their own, cumulatively eroded my enjoyment of the whole. Before I saw the film, I was willing to overlook the use of so many non-Japanese actors, but having seen the film, I have come to the conclusion it was rather like allowing Frenchman to re-enact the Battle of Naseby (for US readers make that Gettysburg). Yes, they could be made to look the part, well nearly, but they certainly didn't sound like it. As a result, in the end the portrayal was unconvincing.

While the kimono's were largely correct and gorgeous, the makeup and hairstyles, were much less so. Although set in the 1930's, the hairstyles adopted are far more likely to be seen on today's catwalks than on Maiko and Geiko of 70 years ago. The white geisha make-up was all but non-existent - all the principal actresses sported Max Factor pouts from the off.

The performances were solid throughout. Li Gong relishes her part, and the young Suzuka Ohgo as the young Chiyo (Sayuri) stood out. Ziyi Zhang is beautiful, but she is simply not Japanese. Michelle Yeoh is indeed elegant and beautiful as Mameba, the mentor of Sayuri, but I found her long brown hair a reminder of her days as a Bond girl, and this trivial annoyance kept drawing me away from the 1930's.

The hero - the Chairman - played mercifully by a Japanese, Ken Watanabe, aged not one iota in the 26 years of the story, falling in love with the heroine who was all of 9 at the time. The nine year old heroine instantly fell in love with him too. Why? All because he bought her a cherry ice, a little bit of kindness in her life of drudgery. I found that scenario entirely too much to accept, and is it really the best example of female psychology the script could come up with?

But wait, hang psychology, as in the tradition of the worst western romantic fiction; the women are either, (both in the case of Hatsumomo played by Li Gong) - or dewy eyed victims waiting for Fate and prayer to save them from all their undeserved suffering at the hands of others. And of course, also in the tradition of the worst romantic fiction, by the end, Fate and/or prayers are always answered in full for the heroine.

Sayrui's dance scene (an after-thought) was a bad idea. It was far too modern and looked like a perfume advert or a catwalk warm up to me... Although flawed, I found myself constantly thinking of James Clavell's 'Shogun' - particularly the beauty of the actresses. Undoubtedly there was a Japanese actress who could have taken the lead, but given the actresses cast were names from other box-office smashes, you don't have to look too far for the Producers thinking.

On the positive side, I was impressed by the cinematography, but in the end, the glory of the visuals only made me more discontent that the adaption did not match it. The surprising fact that the film was largely shot in Hollywood could be seen as a plus, except that it probably reveals more than intended. Maybe no Japanese studio worth their salt would have put their Mon onto such a loose and fundamentally flawed depiction of what is a complex, artistic and spiritual culture as that of the world of the Geiko.

I was hoping for more than a slick, up-market melodrama. Perhaps if this story had been animated by Disney as a sort of Japanese Cinderella - with few saccharin songs along the way - I would have enjoyed it more. All the actors have made better films, seek them out.