VJ Purplequeen:

I enjoyed having a glimpse into a life I had known very little about before seeing this movie. How sad a life this portrayed, one that is similar and just as tragic to the lives so many children in this world are subjected to by the so called adults in their life. Another example of humans' cruelty to other humans, especially children (and women who apparently don't count for much in their families that they can be sold away like cattle). I was confused by some of the scenes, like the one where the house was set on fire. I am not sure what exactly happened there. Were people killed? But overall the movie also shows the indomitable human spirit once again, (which I love to see) how even in the worse of situations, if one has the will to survive and live their faith, while keeping hope present, the universe will always open a way.

DFWFOREIGN:

Excellent movie but not on the par of a Japanese or Chinese production. Something about the Chinese girls and the Japanese guys speaking English that does not work well. Sets and costumes are incredible. The film is long 2hr 25 min. It becomes a melodrama and not a work of art. from wiki: "Memoirs of a Geisha is a 2005 film adaptation of the novel of the same name, produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and Spyglass Entertainment and by Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher's Red Wagon Productions. It was directed by Rob Marshall. It was released in the United States on December 9, 2005 by Columbia Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures. It stars Zhang Ziyi, Ken Watanabe, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Youki Kudoh, and Suzuka Ohgo. Ohgo plays the younger Sayuri in the movie, which was filmed in southern and northern California and in several locations in Kyoto, including the Kiyomizu temple and the Fushimi Inari shrine. The film was nominated and won numerous awards, including nominations for six Academy Awards, and eventually won three: Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. Memoirs of a Geisha revolves around a young girl, named Chiyo, who is sold into the life of a geisha and her struggle as a geisha to find love." I did enjoy it though-enough for three stars and a recommendation.

horrorfan247:

another movie that is way over rated. I went into this movie expecting to be almost blown away. I heard so many great things about it. I was bored with it. I watched almost an hour of it and still just couldnt get into it so i gave up watching it. Maybe if it wasnt so hyped it then i would have actually enjoyed it.

ykf 483620:

It was blah. Like eating a dry bread and grass sandwich... well, that's kind of gross but you get my point. The movie was really long and I never got to have any sort of real emotional attachment to the characters. One of the big problems was that since I didn't understand the culture of the country the film was set in, I couldn't really latch onto any of the chracters. There should have been a way to make that a little more accesible to the audience. Also, the narrative is choppy and never really takes a solid form. Anyway, the movie is not terrible and there are some very pretty pictures but it's not as moving and as touching as it thinks it is... and it's sort of dull. The movie is like a person who thinks of themselves as being very important while at the same time being exceedingly boring. I would recommend this film only to fans of the book.

Fies:

The bright female friend I saw this one with was so horrified by the misogyny that we had to go drink and discuss it to shake it off. Truly an appalling view of women, even more offensive in that it's supposed to be defending women.

itp 1591997:

This movie resembles a Geisha. It has layers of scenes that add mystery and allure. It's beauty hides the ugly underneath that the movie is subjected to. The story is long and drawn out, like a Geisha's life. A Geisha is not a Prostitute but you pay for their company. And in the end a Geisha, like a movie is not what we expected.

isc 95082:

Really poetic and moving. I felt like they really succeeded in conveying emotions of everyone involved.

crewark:

Three movies won three Oscars this year and one of those three was "Memoirs of a Geisha." These were for the Art Direction by art director John Myrhe and set decorator Gretchen Rau, Dion Beebe's Cinematography, and Colleen Atwood's Costume Design. Those particular awards should be sufficient to tell you that this is a gorgeous looking film, but once you see it you may well come to the conclusion that the style of the film is its most substantive part. There is great beauty here, to be sure, but not the soul that would make it a great film.

2BeeOrNot2Bee:

Beautiful music, cinematography, acting, costumes, and story. You feel as if you are getting a glimpse into a private world through the life of Ziyi Zhang. If you enjoy cultural/historical movies, you will enjoy Memoirs of a Geisha.

Motombo Lombo:

Beautiful, lush movie. Like a set piece. Great cinematography. Characters a bit wooden and restrained, except the wicked girl acted with relish by Gong Li, but I am sure Geishas had to be restrained and studied in their ways in order to succeed in their craft. Was fun. I do not think Chinese actors playing Japanese characters is such a bad thing as some political types in those countries are making out to be. Those folks need to loosen up a bit like these fine actors.

Britney Hose:

I tried to watch this movie but I kept dozing off. It's a bore fest. If you like slow and boring movies, than this is for you.