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 Artistically Beautiful and Mysterious Feb 13, 2010
I Love MoaG! It covers every element required of an artistically created movie. It has romance, a bit of suspension, drama, dance, music, modesty and a wonderful introductory to this particular culture.
 Riddled with inaccuracies and racial stereotypes Jan 19, 2010
Having lived in Japan and studied the geisha culture, I really wanted to love this movie. My chief annoyance with this film is the fact that the director tried to tell a uniquely Japanese story with a predominately Chinese cast and an American perspective.
Considering the film centered around the lives of maiko (apprentice geisha) and geisha, one might think that the film makers would do a bit of research. After all, they hired Peter MacIntosh, one of the few foreigners allowed access to the "flower and willow world", as a location adviser. In spite of this, the film is riddled with cultural inaccuracies. The costuming, hairstyles, make-up, dancing, and numerous other aspects are horribly wrong. This is not a mere nitpick-- anyone who is familiar with geisha understand how important all of those aspects are. I read that the director wanted to tone down the geisha look for American audiences, which is not only ridiculous, but insulting all across the board. Why try to tell a story if you're not really going to tell it?
While the actresses are certainly very beautiful, much of the acting is wooden. Ziyi Zhang is stunning in a kimono, but looks lost and uncomfortable in the English role. Strangely enough, it is the two supporting characters "Mother" (Kaori Momoi) and the adult "Pumpkin" (Youki Kudoh) who end up stealing the show.
I could go on in my diatribe, but instead I'll just advise you to turn to other sources if you're interested in Japan or geisha culture. Mineko Iwasaki, whose story Arthur Golden based his book on, has written a wonderful and enlightening auto-biography on her life as a geisha. Liza Dalby is a cultural anthropologist, an expert on Japanese and geisha culture, and the only westerner ever to become a geisha and be accepted into their hidden world. She has written many wonderful books on the subject, as well as a novel about the Heian era.
By no means am I harping on artistic liberty when it comes to film-making, but I do believe directors and producers have a responsibility when it comes to other cultures. If you're looking for two hours of entertainment and nothing else, then give this movie a go. But if you're looking to actually learn on the subject, I'd suggest a different route.
Probably not a good idea to watch this right after reading the book... Jan 15, 2010
I read this book a number of years ago, and remember really enjoying it. So I was surprised when a number of people were telling me the movie trashed the complexities of the novel.
So here's the answer... wait a few years after reading the book to see this movie. I did, and I thoroughly enjoyed this production, particularly the acting of the young Chiyo (Suzuka Ohgo).
I understood that, following the occupation of Japan by Allied Forces after WWII, "geisha girls" were "invented" to fit the needs of visiting GIs and their fantasies. Economic forces are very powerful motivators. This film, Memoirs of a Geisha, focuses on the traditional geisha, a woman trained in the art of conservation, music, and dance, and considered a desirable luxury in pre-war Japan for centuries.
The plot is the development of a young girl, sold by her poor parents, to a geisha house. She becomes one of the most highly sought-after geisha, but competition with other geisha and events associated with WWII have profound effects on her career.
Recommended.
Most valuable cultural documentary on Japanese thinking and behavior! Dec 30, 2009
I went to see this expecting a boring romance or chick flick.
What I found was the most amazing, truthful, honest, accurate documentary on Japanese behavior, culture, and thinking.
I was awestruck how Spielberg could have portrayed so quickly and clearly what is very difficult to explain about Japanese to others.
If you are interested in any kind of involvement with Japanese people and culture at any level of depth more than the casual and superficial, then you really NEED to watch this.
ESPECIALLY if you're in a relationship, or thinking of getting into one with a Japanese man or woman... please do yourself a favor, and watch this first!
It may make you change your mind, or, it may give you insight that will prevent a lot of surprises and frustrations for the both of you.
Strongly recommend this movie, more for educational purposes than for entertainment.
Beautiful movie! A masterpiece! Dec 23, 2009
I have never read the novel, now I'd like to do it. The story is fascinating, and yet very sad. The execution of the movie is great, the screen, the photography, the music John Williams created for this movie is stunning! It's a joy to see this movie, the performance of the characters was great, even though they were Chinese actresses and not Japanese. The determination of Chiyo to free herself is inspirational, and how she blossoms against all odds without becoming a bitter woman. This is not a romantic movie, and yet, it's obvious that love is the force that fuels her to go after a better life, a life with freedom and the love of a great man. I loved this movie!!!
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