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Amazon.co.uk Review
Chicago director Rob Marshall's pretty but empty (or pretty empty) film has all the elements of an Oscar contender: solid adaptation (from Arthur Golden's bestseller), beautiful locale, good acting, lush cinematography. But there's something missing at the heart, which leaves the viewer sucked in, then left completely detached from what's going on.
It's hard to find fault with the fascinating story, which traces a young girl's determination to free herself from the imprisonment of scullery maid to geisha, then from the imprisonment of geisha to a woman allowed to love. Chiyo (Suzuka Ohgo), a young girl with curious blue eyes, is sold to a geisha house and doomed to pay off her debt as a cleaning girl until a stranger named The Chairman (Ken Watanabe) shows her kindness. She is inspired to work hard and become a geisha in order to be near the Chairman, with whom she has fallen in love. An experienced geisha (Michelle Yeoh) chooses to adopt her as an apprentice and to use as a pawn against her rival, the wicked, legendary Hatsumomo (Gong Li). Chiyo (played as an older woman by Ziyi Zhang), now renamed Sayuri, becomes the talk of the town, but as her path crosses again and again with the Chairman's, she finds the closer she gets to him the further away he seems. Her newfound "freedom" turns out to be trapping, as men are allowed to bid on everything from her time to her virginity.
Some controversy swirled around casting Chinese actresses in the three main Japanese roles, but Zhang, Yeoh and Gong in particular ably prove they're the best for the part. It's admirable that all the actors attempted to speak Japanese-accented English, but some of the dialogue will still prove difficult to understand; perhaps it contributes to some of the emotion feeling stilted. Geisha has all the ingredients of a sweeping, heartbreaking epic and follows the recipe to a T, but in the end it's all dressed up with no place to go.--Ellen A. Kim
DVD Description
In 1929 an impoverished nine-year-old named Chiyo from a fishing village is sold to a geisha house in Kyoto's Gion district and subjected to cruel treatment from the owners and the head geisha Hatsumomo. Her stunning beauty attracts the vindictive jealousy of Hatsumomo, until she is rescued by and taken under the wing of Hatsumomo's bitter rival, Mameha. Under Mameha's mentorship, Chiyo becomes the geisha named Sayuri, trained in all the artistic and social skills a geisha must master in order to survive in her society. As a renowned geisha she enters a society of wealth, privilege, and political intrigue. As World War II looms Japan and the geisha's world are forever changed by the onslaught of history.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I read the book Memoirs of a Geisha when it was first published about 6 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed. I watched the DVD last week and loved every minute. I would suggest that you watch the extra footage on the "Look of a Geisha" and the making of the film first; then you will appreciate the expertise of the costume makers; the training the actors had to do to play the part of a Geisha and the language difficulties. It is a film I feel is well worth buying and that I will watch more than once just to admire the costumes
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
So it isn't as good as the book - who cares - when you have two of the most beautiful chinese actress' and one of the finest Japanese actors (if not the best) in history; portraying this epic true story of one womans life through hardship and pain to final happiness and true love.
The true effect of the cinematograhy is a little lost in translation from the big screen to the small screen but the pure beauty and serenty of Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh is breath taking,costumes and makeup are stunning, too.
Ken Watannbe produces a performance both powerful and understated exhibiting how a man of high position and influence can still be full of humility and understanding.
The true effect of the cinematograhy is a little lost in translation from the big screen to the small screen but the pure beauty and serenty of Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh is breath taking,costumes and makeup are stunning, too.
Ken Watannbe produces a performance both powerful and understated exhibiting how a man of high position and influence can still be full of humility and understanding.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I read the book a while ago and was very anxious to see the film when it launched. In complete objectivity, I must say that each art form - written and visual - must be appreciated individually and each one can stand proudly on its own. This film was extremely symbolic (in particular, the war narrative part and its symbolic imagery in water), mysterious (as is the world of the geisha), lyrical, and visually appealing: a refreshingly simple work of art. Amidst the raucous and inname films continuously being made, this one pays homage to a dying breed of Japanese culture and history. This is a film well worth seeing and keeping for a future generation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Amazing
Not only is this film educational when it comes to Japanese culture and WW2, the story is also inspiring and moving. Read more
Published 2 days ago by vanillatea
Stunningly beautiful Film
This film has to be on of the most beautifully directed films I have ever watched. I found myself totally absorbed in the story line......
Published 1 month ago by vicky
Fans of the book proceed with caution
When I first heard that the Arthur Golden fiction Memoirs of a Geisha was being made for the big screen I could barely wait for it to go on general release. Read more
Published 3 months ago by adam midwinter
very very boring
Memoirs of a Geisha is in my top 5 favorite books of all time, so was very much looking forward to the film version. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A.Lewis
Almost Perfect
Although 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is a fantastic novel, the 2005 film adaptation is a unique version of the book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Rochester
elegant, beautiful and very moving
When i first purchased this flim i wasnt to fussed and didnt realy expect much as i had never heard of it before. However, as soon i watched it i was left very pleased. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Miss R. J. Fisher
Memoirs of a geisha
Read the book and seen it on the telly so wanted for my psp for when I go on hoilday
Published 8 months ago by Vonny
a story of a differant life
this film gives you an insight into a life in a culture that is basicly unknown in the west and is very well portrayed here an amazing feast for the eyes and a glance of life as a... Read more
Published 13 months ago by belinda
A classic, powerfully emotive film
The only thing that's incomprehensible about this beautiful film, is that it only won three Academy Oscars (for Art Direction, Costume Design and Cinematography). Read more
Published 13 months ago by R. G. White
A wonderful story, well told.
I have always looked in films for that ability to allow you to escape utterly into its world. This film is a perfect example of a film which has that ability in ample qualities. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Alexander J. Dunn
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