Memoirs of a Geisha - Patti
I think that part of the reason this movie is receiving some flack is because people are going to it, expecting to see another Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, or Hero or House of Flying Daggers. Those were all excellent foreign films. Memoirs...is an American film. Sure, the cast is foreign, a mix of Japanese and Chinese actors. The story takes place in Japan, and we learn about Japanese culture (somewhat). But ultimatley, it's a very American movie.
This, however, doesn't make it a poor movie. The cinematography is amazing. The costumes and sets are breathtakingly lush. This has got to be one of the most beautiful films of 2005. The story follows a young Japanese girl (Chiyo/Sayuri) who was sold into slavery by her poor parents. Her beauty and very rare blue eyes are noticed early on, though, and she is eventually trained to become a geisha.
It's here that the story gets a little predictable for a time. After suffering through her lessons, Sayuri comes to realize that being a geisha might not be all that it is cracked up to be. We watch as she goes through adolescence, World War 2, and the internal struggles with her choices in life.
Still, something was missing. While I found the story engaging, I felt like I needed to understand the characters better. I wouldn't quite say it succeeded on the "epic scale" it was aiming for. But it was an enjoyable 2 and a half hours, nonetheless. You could probably just wait and rent this one.
VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: Rob, for about 10 minutes
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: Patti
BUY/RENT/SKIP: rent
This, however, doesn't make it a poor movie. The cinematography is amazing. The costumes and sets are breathtakingly lush. This has got to be one of the most beautiful films of 2005. The story follows a young Japanese girl (Chiyo/Sayuri) who was sold into slavery by her poor parents. Her beauty and very rare blue eyes are noticed early on, though, and she is eventually trained to become a geisha.
It's here that the story gets a little predictable for a time. After suffering through her lessons, Sayuri comes to realize that being a geisha might not be all that it is cracked up to be. We watch as she goes through adolescence, World War 2, and the internal struggles with her choices in life.
Still, something was missing. While I found the story engaging, I felt like I needed to understand the characters better. I wouldn't quite say it succeeded on the "epic scale" it was aiming for. But it was an enjoyable 2 and a half hours, nonetheless. You could probably just wait and rent this one.
VERDICT
WHO FELL ASLEEP: Rob, for about 10 minutes
WHO RECOMMENDS IT: Patti
BUY/RENT/SKIP: rent
posted by Patti W. at 7:49 PM
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