“Memoirs of a Geisha" (DreamWorks)
One of the most highly anticipated movies of the year is “Memoirs of a Geisha.” This is because of the popular novel by Arthur Golden on which the film is based, and also because it is directed by Rob Marshall of “Chicago” fame. But high though our hopes may be, the movie is a major disappointment in all respects.
The film tells the story of Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang), a young girl sold by her father into servitude. She is placed in the house of a woman who raises her to be a geisha. Most of the film is taken up with her training and the hardships she endures learning this lifestyle.
She also becomes enamored of a man known as the Chairman (Ken Watanabe). He is an elusive figure in her life but is her one true love. The only problem is that the relationship is so vague and so ethereal that the audience doesn’t really care if it ever reaches fruition or not.
The story spans many decades of Sayuri’s life and each segment flies by with characters and situations being glossed over again and again. With an all Asian cast, largely unknown to American audiences, it is hard to keep the characters and the plot in perspective.
The look of the film is magnificent. The costumes are beautiful and the settings are impressive. The actors are also good. Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li provide good support as Sayuri’s mentor and her archenemy. Watanabe makes only a vague impression as the Chairman.
The movie is rated PG-13 for mild violence and sexual situations.
There is nothing memorable about “Memoirs of a Geisha” and there should be. There was enough drama and intensity in the book to make a strong and compelling movie. Rob Marshall got it all wrong.
“Memoirs of a Geisha” may be remade one day and all the adult themes and strong elements should be incorporated. The Rob Marshall movie is a pale, sanitized version of a mesmerizing story.
I scored “Memoirs of a Geisha” a forgettable 5 out 10.
