esteban1747 I read the book with interest in the past, and this film is not completely faithful to the original version in the book of Arthur Golden. However, it is interesting to see the geishas, their functions in Japanese society and the limit of their intimate relationships. A geisha may have been a servant in her childhood or adolescence, but she may ascend to that position depending on her beauty and the education she received, her art for dancing, singing and even to talk and entertain the demanding patriarchy. Being Geisha is a luck in a society, where the woman is a secondary entity. At least she gets out of poverty and rubs herself into the Japanese aristocratic circle. The film exposes everything clearly with due coherence. Nice to see the performances of experienced actress Michelle Yeoh as well as others as Ziyi Zhang, Suzuka Ogo, Ken Watanabe, Li Gong and Samantha Futerman, an evidence that Rob Marshall looked for experienced Asian actors/actresses, and not only Japanese.

martin-fennell Terrific movie with Excellent performances from Li Gong, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang. and others in the cast. I understand Japanese people being critical of Chinese playing Japanese. I'm sure there are plenty of Japanese Actresess who could have played the roles just as well. But I find some of the reviews rather silly Quote from a review here "First, I have to ask the director why he did not hire a Japanese art director who would not create absolutely untruth interior architecture and furniture, and not make funny hair and Kimono style. Japanese never wear Kimono making the right side in front until they die." I'm sorry, I didn't watch to learn about Japanese architecture. if i did. i would watch a documentary about Japanese architecture. I don't care about the hair do's, and whether or not the kimono is displayed probably or not. I'm irish. If I watch about Ireland, eg Michael Collins, i don't care if the films get's historical facts wrong. what's more important is the story, the acting, directing. stuff like that. Look, this film was made primarily for a western audience. i'm sure there are people in the west who take a deep interest in Japanese culture who will take issue with what the film got wrong. But for the average film-goer like me, I highly recommend this movie.

Tweekums In pre-war Japan two young sisters are sold to separate geisha houses; the older of the two manages to escape leaving young Chiyo behind. Here she works as a servant dreaming of the day that she can become a geisha; although that dream seems to be ruined before it can get started when Mameha, the most successful geisha in the house, takes against her. One day while out the local Chairman shows her an act of kindness; offering words of comfort and buying her flavoured ice. After this she resolves that she will become a geisha despite her lack of training. Time passes and another geisha takes her under her wing and sets about training her. She learns quickly and the soon becomes a rival to Hatsumomo who is determined not to be usurped. Meanwhile she meets the Chairman again, assuming he has long forgotten her, but it looks as if any relationship will be impossible.I was initially a little put off by the films run time but I needn't have worried it didn't feel long as I was quickly drawn into the story of young Chiyo and her life in the geisha house. Suzuka Ohgo does a fine job playing Chiyo as a child with the excellent Ziyi Zhang taking over when she goes up. The story progresses at a good pace with plenty of emotional ups and downs as Chiyo's prospects change… each time it looks as if things are going in the right direction something happens to dash her hopes… usually due to Hatsumomo; a delightfully self-centred character played by Gong Li. The romance is nicely understated in a way that meant we could believe neither party knew the others feelings.Much has been made of the use of well-known Chinese, rather than Japanese, actresses to play most of the leading characters; this didn't bother me… it seemed little different from having actors from one European country playing characters from another and nobody seems to worry about that. They did a good job and at no point did I have any difficulty understanding what any of the cast were saying so they either spoke English fairly well or did a great job speaking it phonetically.The film looks great; it's not surprising that it won an Oscar for the costume designs. The great look doesn't stop there though; the sets give a feeling of the era and some of the scenery is stunning; especially in the scenes set in the formal gardens. The film also provides an interesting insight into the very traditional world of the geisha. Overall I enjoyed this film more than I expected and definitely recommend checking it out.

i_ianchev The gentle standpoint of the Japanese woman...I guess you have all watches "Memoirs of a Geisha", the beautiful adaptation of Arthur Golden's book of the same name. This dramatic film does justice to the position not only of the geisha in the Japanese society, but it is also an embodiment of the innocence of the Japanese woman. I dare not say that there is no controversy in this movie - the lead female actresses are all Chinese. Though the depiction of the characters is so much true to the original. My opinion is such not because I understand all the qualities of the geisha performer, or the Japanese women, but as a result of the many various emotions and thoughts that this cinematic artwork awakens in me. The heartbreaking purity and vulnerability pierce through the silver screen into the viewer's mind like a clear chord from a Shamisen's stretched string.The movie follows the narrow path of poor Chiyo through the hardships of time and depicts the layering of an impeccable white powder mask. Despair and the driving forces behind the transition of the main character from the gentle Chiyo to the symbolic Sayuri. Romantic mystery and cruel reality wrap up the appealing of this powerful story. This film is about the power of the spirit which I guess most of the Japanese women have. Their obedience and timeless intimacy are two of the main characteristics which we all know. Also, we can see the world of the geisha depicted in details. It nurtures carefully, but also drains the natural desire for freedom. This harsh world imprints the sense that there is no alternative, but to live gracefully empty. The story though follows the historical turbulence of time and unites the two main characters at the end. Fate is involved like a thin invisible thread joining the dramatic parts of the story.The intimate music and the compelling visuals are so immersed that we ourselves feel deep compassion for Sayuri. Throughout her whole life she wants only one thing - to love and to be loved. The Chairman is that island of peace and happiness which she longs for. Do we all crave to express and feel? Aren't we all harboring such intimate dreams of fulfillment? Don't we all relate to the same heartfelt desire? I think that deep inside we are all the same. No matter when, where and how we live...