What is it about?
A few years before World War II, Chiyo, a little Japanese girl, is torn from a poor family to work as a maid in a geisha house.
Growing up, she obediently submits to a difficult initiation that turns her into a true geisha. She overcomes the traps set for her by her rival, the trickster Hatsumomo, and becomes, after years of work, the legendary geisha Sayuri.
Very beautiful, exquisite in her art, Sayuri fascinates the most powerful men. But the one who no longer has the right to love is left with the love she secretly harbors for the only man she can’t reach…
Memoirs of a Geisha, a film written by Robin Swickord, Arthur Golden, directed by Rob Marshall with Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Watanabe…
Historical and epic fresco
Directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Pirates of the Caribbean…), Memoirs of a Geisha is a breathtaking adaptation of Arthur Golden’s bestselling novel. With a comfortable budget of $85 million, this big production spares no effort in historical reenactments, with magnificent sets and costumes. From the winding alleyways of 1930s Kyoto to the kimonos of geishas.
The feature film tells the story of young Chio, who is sold into slavery by his poor fishing family. He finds himself a servant and apprentice geisha at a prosperous okiya (geisha house) in Kyoto. He quickly makes an enemy there: the famous geisha Hatsumomo (Gong Li, making her first English role here).
A chance meeting with President Ken Iwamura (Ken Watanabe) fuels Chiyo’s desire to become a geisha herself so that she can win his heart when she grows up.
Due to Hatsumomo’s insidious plotting, Chiyo’s dream seems out of reach for a long time. But another geisha, the kind-hearted Mameha – played by Michelle Yeoh – takes Chiyo under her wing to make her the most wanted geisha in town, who goes by the name of Sayuri (Zhang Ziyi).
Sayuri still dreams of having a romance with the president, but duty and eventually war dash her hopes. The latter threatens the complete destruction of the geisha tradition.
Sayuri’s search for happiness amidst the strictures of the geisha lifestyle is an interesting story, but Rob Marshall seems more fascinated by his characters’ fluttering kimonos, sideways glances and cheerleader dances than their journey.
As a result, Memoirs of a Geisha is beautiful to watch, but slow in places, lingering over dripping bodies of water and cherry blossoms, as the geisha’s inner torment remains largely unspoken.
That said, John Williams’ music, sets, makeup, costumes, choreography, and art direction are all fantastic, and the actors give more than convincing performances.
Memoirs of a Geisha is available until March 31st on Netflix.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
