Memoirs of a Geisha Review
The movie Memoirs of a Geisha is based on the hugely popular book of the same name by Arthur Golden. It is a story about a young girl who, along with her sister, is sold by their poor, fisherman father. One girl, who becomes a geisha in 1930s Japan, is taken to work in a house for geishas, the other ends up in a brothel. Ziyi Zhang plays a girl who becomes Sayuri, the most desired geisha in Japan. The dramatic tension comes from the interactions between Sayuri and her geisha rivals, rather than from her unrequited love, a wealthy man she knows only as the Chairman (Ken Watanabe) this encounter transforms her life. Most of the other geisha are Gong Li, who takes jealousy to new heights as the ravenously vindictive Hatsumomo.
Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Youki Kudoh
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Produced by: Patty Whitcher, Bobby Cohen, Roger Birnbaum
Score: 4 / 5