Film Review: "Memoirs of a Geisha"

This was a visually stunning film. The sets were amazing and Colleen Woods costumes were truly breathtaking.

This film takes us through the life of a little girl from a small fishing village in pre-World Was II Japan who is sold along with her big sister to a geisha house when their mother becomes ill. Separated almost imediately from her big sister, our heroine, Sayuri learns her place in a strange new life. Seen as nothing more than a future money maker by her new caretaker and loathed by the current reigning Geisha of the house, played magnificently by new comer to Hollywood film Li Gong, Sayuri is treated as nothing more than a common slave. She is forced to work off her 'debt' and finds life in her new home cruel, lonely and hopeless.

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Until the day she meets The Chariman, a handsome upper class businessman, on a bridge who sees her crying. In a world where she has only known sadness this man shows her some heartfelt kindnes. With only a linen handkerchief as her emblem of hope she embarks upon a journey to become the greatest Geisha ever in the hopes one day it will lead her back to him.

I simply couldn't find one flaw with this film. From the script writing to the superb performances by this unbelievable cast, and the cinematography, this was without a doubt one of the best films of 2005. Deserving of the multiple awards it's nice to see a film of this caliber receive such recognition.

Both the star Ziyi Zhang and Li Gong gave stand out performances, with Li Gong standing tall as a stunning beauty with lithely grace. I hope to see both of these women in more large internationally roles.

This film draws you into the world of the Geisha and let's you see the work, the struggles, the pain and the loneliness that often came from such position.

A must see for all. Be sure to pick up "Memoirs of a Geisha" and add it to your film collection.


See the Trailer: