Memoirs of a Geisha - Movie Review

Chiyo is a girl who, at the age of nine, is sold to a geisha house in Kyoto in the early 1930s. Here, she learns that becoming a geisha can be the single path to wealth and independence for a woman. The head geisha of her house, however, Hatsumomo, is bitterly jealous of Chiyo and abuses her at every opportunity. Eventually Chiyo is taken under the wing of Hatsumomo's rival, Mameha, by far the most famous and successful geisha in their district. Under Mameha's tutelage, Chiyo becomes Sayuri, the most legendary geisha in the nation, skilled in all areas, from conversation to dance, and sought after by seemingly every man alive...except for the one whom she has secretly longed for since she began her training, The Chairman - a man who showed her kindness at a time when her view of the world had turned the most bleak. Now as World War II approaches, Japan stands at the brink of a new era and Sayuri must confront the possibility that history will leave all that she has worked for behind.

This film is a pretty interesting period piece and romantic drama. Being a Steven Spielberg film, no expense was spared on the costumes, cinematography and score (music by Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman). I really enjoyed the scenery and thought along with the costumes, was really what made the movie appealing to watch. I had never known, or thought about, what the function of a geisha was, so this film also helped to educate (assuming it was factual). The role that women held in Japan back then (and might still today in some places) was certainly an eye opener. It was a little on the long side (2.5 hours), but it was intriguing enough to go by relatively fast. The acting was excellent and seemed effortless. My biggest gripe is that the ending was completely predictable and cliche, but the journey was worth it.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Koji Yakusho

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.