Memoirs of a Geisha (Well, it was this or that Brokeback movie...)

Memoirs of a Geisha

This movie is based on the book of the same name. The movie deals with a very young girl in Japan being sold into a Geisha house and loosing contact with her older sister (Whom was sold into a prostitution house, talk about getting the bad end of a bargain), she has to learn how to survive with a house mean older women that see her as nothing.

It is here she discovers her dream to be an honored Geisha.

Now, I came into the theater believing the movie would suck on all levels. To my surprise, it did not. Don’t get me wrong the movie has some major problems and is sometimes a little goofy in some places, yet there are some redeeming qualities. The acting all around is pretty good, while the landscapes of Japan are truly breathtaking.

Yes, I had a problem with the Chinese actors playing Japanese roles, but it isn’t as glaring as the press makes it out to be. However, this movie takes place before and after America joined World War II. If you remember that the Japanese were at war with China and did horrible things to the Chinese people (Which is the reason for all the mistrust between the two), then you will understand that many on both sides have bitter feelings on the whole Chinese/Japanese actor issue.

The movie does shatter many of the misconceptions of the Geisha culture, but also shows the darker side as well. (Watching the older Geisha Teacher sell her student’s virginity to older men was on the creepy side).

John Williams score ranges from good to fair. Some of it does sound Last Samurai, but that might have to do with the fact they used Zimmer’s Last Sam score in the trailers.

If your girlfriend forces you to watch a chick-flick, convince her to watch this one.

Grade C

~It is interesting watching the normal people live their lives, while the Japanese army is at war with the rest of Asia. Japan is shown in bright colors, showing how detached many people were during the war. This all changes when the US hits their shores.

~I loved how the Head Mistress “discovers” one of her prized Geisha ladies was having sex with a guy she didn’t approve of. It was nasty, but funny too.