Memoirs of a Geisha [Blu-ray]

Love this movie!

very good

While I deeply despised the romance novel writing in the book of the same name; Memoirs of a Geisha, makes a lovely, stirring and visually stunning film.I fortunately saw the film before I read the book; otherwise I would have never given the film a chance. The plastic, obsessed and flat-line personality of Chiyo/Sayuri in the book gets somewhat more fleshed out in the film and the supporting cast of brilliant actors carries the film for Ziyi Zhang, who struggles admirably with English.This is my only complaint with the film. I love that it is in English - it was written by an English speaking man (man, which is why it never rings true as a memoir written by a woman) and needs to be accessible to the fantasies that the English-speaking world has of Asians.The strongest actors in the film are Ken Watanabe, who is able to act simply with his expressive eyes and radiant smile. He expresses the complexity and torment of The Chairman in a way that was not possible in the book. He truly is one of the most gifted actors of his generation and in any language. His voice has a hypnotic quality. And he is finely turned out in those great suits he wears in the film.Michelle Yeoh is one of my favorite actresses. Her performance in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was spell-binding. Here she is utter perfection - why is she not a leading actress in her own Hollywood films? Oh - wait - she is Asian! She can carry a film with her engaging presence, accessible beauty and regal bearing.Gong Li is effective in a part that could have been pure caricature. She takes it beyond this, showing the desperation of Hatsumomo and the pain of her losses too. I was sad to see her leave when she did and wished I could have learned more of her charactors fate.The rest of the supporting cast are terrific too especially the strength of Kôji Yakusho, the Japanese actor who was in the original Shall We Dance, another one of my favorites. He plays Nobu with subdued passion and practicality; it is clear that he loves Sayuri, in his way but that way is not to be trifled with.Youki Kudoh also does an admirable job as Pumpkin in what could have been a throw away role. Her betrayal of Sayuri is poignant and done with a sad bitterness. Very moving. Her fall from grace is also quite devastating.I like that we are left not knowing how Sayuri and the Chairman will be as they cement their relationship after many long years. I also like that the age difference was much less than in the book and that even though it is hinted at that all of the men are married (they were of course, a Geisha acted as a mistress to her patron), it is not dwelled upon which would have made it more controversial for Western audiences.The look of the film is authentic to a point that you can practically feel the rain on your skin and smell the cherry blossoms in the air. It is a feast for the eyes. There is definite feeling of utter transformation after Japan is occupied. The sense is clearly depicted that this world of shadows will be no more in a future Japan and ultimately that is the most tragic note in the film.

satisfied

Wonderful movie with such a great love story. Love the cultural vision and love line values portrayed in the film. Definitely a tear shredder!

This is a story for the ages, a woman's story, but one every man should see. The music is really special.

Love these kinds of films

A brilliant, harshly realistic movie about a society that did exist, and still has memories today.I loved this movie. First of all two of the best actresses of the modern screen era Li Gong, and Zhang Ziyi play the two lead roles. That is like having Katherine Hepburn and Meryl Streep in a movie together! But yes, Americans – please have enough respect to pronounce their names correctly – in China – surname first, given name second. And, yes, these were Chinese ladies playing Japanese geishas'.The story itself is heartbreaking, uplifting, disappointing, and tragic. This woman, who goes from being sold by her family, to becoming a chattel slave to a geisha mistress, to becoming a geisha, to losing the only hope for the great love of her life to …. Well the end. Watch it. And see the end.The acting is simply superb. The costumes – brilliant and historically correct. The scenes of the streets, the chambers, the silky, wafting illusions of beautiful young women floating into the fantasies of men who could lust for them, but not touch them. Wonderful.It is nevertheless about the ruthless exploitation of women. Of a systemic powerlessness of women. You cannot escape that message in this movie. But you likewise cannot escape the incredible resilience, cleverness, defiance, and hopeful sacrifice of one woman for another in this movie. It is not all about the exploitation of women. It is also, and very much about the strength, courage, resilience, camaraderie, and hope in the face of seemingly never ending exploitation of women, that only women can express and understand. And yet, sometimes, women do succeed , are victorious, and even in the worst cases - they survive.Well, I am not a woman. Maybe I got it wrong. But that is what I saw and felt. So ladies, correct me please if I got it wrong.This is one of the great movies of all time: story, acting, cinematography, scenes, costumes, and flow of the storyline.