Dame's "Memoirs Of A Geisha" mini review. — Page 4

Maybe, but don't get me started on Chinese-Japanese relations....

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***SPOILERS****

Saw it again tonight. STILL thought it was fantastic. So did the person accompanying me; she's another 20-something who read the book years ago. Yes, we can put ourselves outside of the moviegoing experience long enough to joke about certain parts - my ludicrous camp sensibility causes me to find things funny when no one else does (and I'm really talking about parts that even critics wouldn't cite as funny). My favorite scene is probably the final one, which is just beautifully shot and emotionally arresting, but there are a few others that I love almost as much: The first shots of the okiya (what a grand entrance Gong Li makes as Hatsumomo), the girls running late to school and joining the dance lesson as if they had already been there, Chiyo attempting to maneuver her way across the rooftops to escape the okiya, Korin and Hatsumomo manipulating Chiyo into destroying Mameha's stolen kimono, Chiyo's first meeting with the chairman over sweet rumblecherry, Sayuri's training montage, Sayuri outwitting Hatsumomo at one of the first socials, Pumpkin's outrageous behavior in front of the GIs by the jet...

A pleasure again, all in all. I think my next viewing will either be in late January or on DVD.

I'm halfway through the film and so far I'm enjoying it. I didn't know whether it was a novel or autobiography until I read this thread and saw that it's fiction. Although it's fiction, I bet it's based on true experiences. SPOILER NEXT



I had no idea Geishas were prostitutes. How naive of me. I had once seen a documentary on tv about how the Geishas were strictly bred and trained. They were hostesses who served and were expected to carry on interesting conversations, but no mention of sex was made. I can't wait to watch the second half tonight. Beautiful film.

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Oh, you got that right! But I borrowed it from an academy member. What's even worse is that I'm only watching it on my computer dvd!!!! Well, at least I'm watching from a comfortable bed~

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I don't plan on seeing a movie which stars Chinese actresses playing Japanese characters speaking English. I know myself well enough to know in advance that I won't buy it. Once again the Caucasian mentality that all Asians are basically the same, so why shouldn't Chinese stars play Japanese (guess there aren't enough good Japanese actresses for the roles.)

As someone of Chinese ethnicity, I didn't mind it (nor would I mind a Japanese actor playing a Chinese character). I appreciate how some people are finally becoming sensitive to how Asian cultures aren't interchangeable; however, acting is acting, and I've never minded a Russian Jewish performer playing an Irish Roman Catholic, etc.

I had no idea Geishas were prostitutes.

They are not prostitutes (this is made clear when Sayuri turns down the American's advances). Nor are they exactly courtesans. My impression is that they're more like walking works of art, whose purpose is to entertain and be admired by affluent men.

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****SPOILERS****

Chiyo catches Hatsumomo having sex. Given Hatsumomo's humiliation, the man's comment about how he's tired of sneaking around and the voiceover that follows the fire, we can assume that Hatsumomo was not prostituting herself out to him. Rather, she felt passion for him but could only express that on the sly.
*****END SPOILERS****

Anyone refusing to see this film due to the casting is only more ignorant and closed-minded than they could ever imagine Rob Marshall to be. Stop trying to be the nationality's defender; clearly the many Japanese people in the film are complicit with this pan-Asian casting. If you weren't interested in the film, you wouldn't be posting in this thread.

Updated On: 12/26/05 at 09:33 PM

Evelyn, I could swear I saw money being thrown at someone after that sexual encounter. In any event, is it true that the geishas were not prostitutes? If you don't mind my asking, what basically were they expected to do, and why were the "pimps" discussing how much money they expected Chiyo to bring in? thanks!

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,3604,1659313,00.html

I just saw it, and it was so visually breathetaking I loved it. I never tear up over love stories, and I defnitely did at the end of this movie, I thought it was exquisitely directed.

On the subject of Chinese actors play Japanese characters, I don't see the issue here. It would be an issue if in all other films casting stayed true to the ethnicity and nationality of the characters, but they don't. Italians play Jews, Jews play Catholics, someone of English decent might play a Swedish girl, a Russian might play someone from Poland.

My aunt told me that in college she once had a foreign exchange student from Japan as a roomate. The girl once said to her, "I like it here, but it's so confusing, you all look alike!" And that is true! Foreign cultures and looks will all look similar to people not accustomed to slight differences of facial structure, skin tone, etc.

Nobody seemed to care that a Welsh woman played a Mexican/Spanish woman. (I just asked a bunch of people and searched the internet to make sure my facts were correct, as I never saw Mask of Zorro...but apparently it takes place in California with people of direct Spanish heritage? Whatever...you get my point.)

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It is visually stunning, but mostly forgettable. Doesn't hold a candle to the novel.

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I'm seeing this again tonight. Didn't care for it the first time, so maybe that will change.