Memoirs Of A Geisha

Cast: Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li, Koji Yakusho, Youki KudohDirector: Rob MarshallScreenplay: Robin Swicord Genre: DramaRated: M moderate sexual references, moderate themes Running Time: 145 MinutesSynopsis:'Memoirs Of A Geisha' opens in a remote Japanese fishing village in 1929, where two sisters, Chiyo and Satsu, are sold by their troubled father to people who place Chiyo in a classy geisha house known as an okiya in Gion and Satsu in a much more vulgar and dangerous district. Chiyo becomes a maid to Hatsumomo, a cold, controlling, and calculating geisha who is instantly jealous of Chiyo's unusual, beautiful eyes and childish innocence. Chiyo is befriended by Pumpkin, another maid at the okiya, but the two are soon driven apart. Chiyo is shown compassion by the Chairman and another, more successful geisha, Mameha, who takes her under her wing as her "little sister," furthering the battle between Chiyo, now called Sayuri, and Hatsumomo. As Sayuri is trained in the art of being a geisha, learning how to walk, talk, dance, and serve (up to a point) in order to please and honour her distinguished male clients, World War II looms on the horizon, threatening to upend Japan and its old ways.My Verdict:Based on the best-selling 1997 novel by Arthur Golden, 'Memoirs Of A Geisha' is a romantic period drama beginning in 1929 in Japan and narrated by the lead character Chiyo (Ziyi Zhang) who will later to be known as Sayuri. It follows the life of the child Chiyo, who is sold by her parents to a geisha house where she will be groomed to become one of Japan's most revered geisha's, but not before a life of dramas, good and bad. Chiyo, now Sayuri, is often challenged throughout her life, as the life of a traditional geisha is one of discipline and obedience with no room for a romantic life but Sayuri harbours a secret passion for The Chairman (Ken Watanabe).'Memoirs Of A Geisha' spends much of its time being visually luxuriant but at the cost of the narrative, which is missing some much-needed zest by the characters. The movie is in spoken English but Ziyi Zhang's English is often stilted and seems hesitant as if she is waiting for someone to correct her pronunciation. Some of the dialogue is often hard to understand due to the inflections in the language given by many characters, which becomes frustrating and makes it hard to feel empathy for the characters.The literal translation of geisha means "artist" and as Sayuri learns to behave like a geisha, she is totally transformed, culminating in a spectacular dance performance where she captures the audience with her powerful and precise presentation. This is perhaps one of the redeeming dramatic scenes that is welcome amidst so many scenes that never quite make it. Backed by a decent musical score thanks to the renowned John Williams, the scenery is often breath taking and one of the highlights, with stark contrasts in colour abundant, as are the costumes, including the various kimonos. It is however, an invasive feeling that there is something missing in what could otherwise have been an impressive movie and for that 'Memoirs Of A Geisha' is disappointing. Rating : **½ Christina Bruce