Review of Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) by Ibrahim A — 23 May 2013

In 1930s Japan, Chiyo a nine year old girl with eyes as clear as water is sold to a geisha house, dispatched from her family and beloved sister. While she tries to adapt to her new life, she learns the meaning of becoming a geisha and understands that it's her only choice to have a life of wealth and independency, although it's not an easy path to walk due to the cruelty of the house's owner Mother (Kaori Momoi) and the bitterness of the jealous head geisha of the house Hatsumomo (LI Gong) who only sees the new girl as a threat, but one day desperate little Chiyo meets a gentleman on the road, The Chairman (Ken Watanabe) who shows her more kindness than she ever expected to see making her realize what she want most in her life. In her teenage, Chiyo (Zhang Ziyi) is took under the care of Mameha (Michelle Yeoh), Chiyo becomes Sayuri training to become the most famous geisha in Japan but what she really desire is to capture the heart of The Chairman, the only man she ever loved.

"Memoirs of a Geisha" is a beautiful story packed with a stunning set decorations and costume designs; the movie is a revolution of visual arts and cinematography can be compared with some Chinese Movies such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) "Hero" (2002) and "House of Flying Daggers" (2004), all staring (Zhang Ziyi). But the movie does have a few flaws, the story as beautiful as it is, it may not be realistic and completely accurate to the Japanese culture and society, maybe because it's an American movie full of Chinese actresses although I can't really judge Ron Howard for his casting after seeing the performances, the actresses have fallen deeply in their roles and specially Li Gong.

And before I wrap this up, I must say that John William's soundtrack works very well in this movie as it always does and I couldn't help noticing the magical connection to Sayori's eyes which tell her sad story better than a thousand words.