Movie Review: Memoirs of a Geisha
The popular novel about a young girl's journey from poverty to becoming the "supermodel" geisha of her age has come to the screen.
In 1930's Japan, pre-teen Chiyo (Suzuka Ohgo) , (later named Sayuri when she becomes a geisha) is sold with her older sister, into virtual slavery by her impoverished father whose wife is dying. Once in Kyoto, the sisters are separated as beautiful, blue-eyed Chiyo is made a slave in a geisha house and her older sister ends up in a brothel. Chiyo is often put down by star geisha Hatsumomo (Gong Li) who sees her as a potential future threat. Sad and desperate, young Chiyo is spotted in town by The Chairman (Ken Watanabe,) an upper class businessman who treats the young girl very kindly. Chiyo falls in love with him and vows to one day be at his side replacing the two geishas she sees with him that day.
As Chiyo grows up, (now played by Zhang Ziyi), Hatsumomo continues to sabotage the young beauty's chances of becoming a geisha. Only well-respected geisha Mameha (Michelle Yeoh) realizes the girl's potential and signs on as her mentor/teacher. Chiyo is named Sayuri and becomes the most sought-after geisha in the area. It is her life-long quest to land The Chairman that drives her every move. Even after the tragedy she faces after World War 2, Sayuri's determination will win her the man of her dreams.
First, let me say that I never read this popular novel so I am reviewing the film on its own merits. Some have said that the short-cuts taken in the screenplay have left the characters too one-note or superficial but I still found them fascinating. Memoirs of a Geisha is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. Many scenes look like gorgeous paintings come to life. The landscapes, the kimonos etc. are all eye-popping.
The female castmembers, mostly Chinese, are all amazing in their roles and Ken Watanabe is proud, sad and moving as the object of Sayuri's affection The Chairman. The young actress Suzuka Ohgo, a protégé of Watanabe's, is very winning as the young Chiyo. Ziyi Zhang, without a martial arts move or sword for once, gains our total sympathy as lead character Sayuri. Michelle Yeoh is wonderful as the older mentor of the young geisha and Chinese film star Gong Li is both regal and finally vulnerable as the slightly over-the-hill (but still gorgeous) geisha who feels threatened by the beautiful Sayuri.
Is "Memoirs" a chick flick? Probably, although no guy I know dislikes looking at breathtakingly beautiful women who can land a guy with only one glance. The director of Chicago, Rob Marshall, does a great job getting into the heads of these unique women, their culture, feelings and arts.
I learned a great deal about the art of the geisha and the culture that created them. You can take the journey with Chiyo/Sayuri and follow her (much like Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind) through massive life changes that lead, in this case, to victory.
A beautiful, touching and involving film..4 out of 5 stars
***
Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.
