Memoirs of a Geisha

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Memoirs Of A Geisha
Buy this Double-sided poster at AllPosters.com

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Review #23 of 365
Film: Memoirs of a Geisha [PG-13] 144 minutes
WIP: $13.00
When 2nd Seen: 2 February 2006
Where Viewed: AMC Theatres Pacific Place 11, Seattle, WA
Time: 3:25 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Isabel C. of Boston, MA

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Today I had the pleasure of seeing Memoirs of a Geisha for the second time—the first being shortly after its release in December and prior to the commencement, of course, of A Movie Every Day. So, this is my first official review for this film. As it had been over a month, and I’ve seen well over 26 movies in the interim, some of the memories of how the events of the film played out had faded a bit. This made the experience even more enjoyable. What stuns me more than anything, is that this film has not gotten more critical acclaim. My friends at The-Numbers.com tell me that the film has still only brought in close to $54 million domestically though it has earned over $100 million world-wide. Sure, this is not a kid friendly action film. It is definitely adult fare. Yet, in every possible way, it is a stunning cinematic experience. From incredible cinematography to and incredible story that unveils the mystique behind so much of the Japanese culture pre the end of WWII, from superb costume and set design, stirring soundtrack, and impeccable performances by the children and adults in the film, there is nothing, in my opinion not to love about this movie. In seeing it a second time, the things that stood out most in my mind are the incredible will of the soul to find a way to its soul mate. The film starts out with the voice over of the main character whose name actually changes a couple of times in the story as she goes from farm girl to full Geisha named Sayuri (portrayed brilliantly by Ziyi Zhang—best known in the US for her roles in Rush Hour 2 and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). In that voice over, she says that her mother has described her as being like water for water always finds a path even if it has to carve through stone. Of course, seeing the film for the second time, when you hear that line, it impacts you as you watch the rest of the film and see how right her mother was. You also notice the role of water in the film throughout as it starts with crashing waves and end in a still pond. Director Rob Marshall has done an insightful job of brining this film to the screen. There are so many delicate touches along the journey of Sayuri that are so distinctly East Asian in influence. This time around, I was able to notice so many more of them. In any case, Mr. Marshall has done an extremely compelling job with this movie.

At the core, this film is a love story, but along the way there is much to learn about the harsh reality of life. The incredible cruelty that people can wreak on others and the resiliency some characters have that permit them to over come it show through; and, all the while, we wonder what fuels both. Michelle Yeoh as Mameha, whom, for a lack of a better word, portrays Sayuri’s Geisha coach, and Ken Watanabe plays the Chairman, the main object of Sayuri’s unrequited love. Together, these three form the nexus of the film. Often times, when I am in this position, I like to sit back and ask myself, what could have been better—that then turns into a couple of paragraphs in the review. In this case, I can think of nothing. Which turns me back to my original question of why this film hasn’t done better at the box office and hasn’t won more critical acclaim. One thing it has received is some criticism for utilizing Chinese actors to play Japanese roles, but I shouldn’t think that that would be the source of so little acknowledgement of the film. I think a larger part of it has to do with the other baggage in this film for citizens of the USA who still must reconcile our government’s use of atomic weapons on the Japanese—a point which the movie addresses, I thought, with kid gloves. And the American military does not come across as being the most upstanding and principled bunch to ever capture another nation. So, this is a difficult pill to swallow on some levels for some people at a time when many are questioning the US Government’s current involvement in foreign affairs. I would hope, however, that people might look past such things and see this film. It is an important film, and it is a very, very good film. It features and unmasks much about Japanese culture that is both fascinating and horrifying. There is a beauty and a beast side-by-side all the way through the film. And thus is the yin and yang of life.

I give this film high praise. I feel it should have been recognized more in the national award scene. The actors and the director did a tremendous job. So, the only reward left to give is ticket sales, and I encourage you, if you haven’t seen this one yet, to do so. Take some time off from The Ringer, Hostel, and Fun with Dick and Jane, and see Memoirs of a Geisha.

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Now Available for Purchase on DVD

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This is the International Version of the Movie Poster.
(Click Poster to Purchase)
Still photos from Memoirs of the Geisha

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DVD Options Available for Purchase
Memoirs Of A Geisha (Widescreen Version) [DVD] (2005) DVD
Memoirs Of A Geisha [DVD] (2005) DVD
Memoirs Of A Geisha (UMD For PlayStation Portable) (2005)