 |
Memoirs Of A Geisha (DVD) Review
Author: Britt Gillette  | Posted: 28-07-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 160 | Rating: (50)  (?) 
Nominated for six Academy Awards, and winner of three, Memoirs Of A Geisha holds its own as one of the best films of 2005. Veteran Hollywood screenwriter Robin Swicord does a superb job of adapting Arthur Golden's bestselling novel to the big screen. This film has all the elements of a classic drama - jealousy, politics, intrigue, forbidden love, and an abundance of internal and external conflicts of varying types. Viewers in search of a typical Hollywood blockbuster will be greatly disappointed, but those who appreciate a good character-driven film which takes the time to develop the motivations of its cast and build to a climax will discover a splendid gem which offers a welcome escape from reality.
Memoirs Of A Geisha is narrated from the viewpoint of a nine year-old Japanese girl named Chiyo (Ziyi Zhang). Born into a poor fishing family, Chiyo and her sister are sold into slavery by their father. Chiyo is soon separated from her sister and finds herself in a geisha house where her new master, Mother (Kaori Momoi), will determine her destiny. Although only nine years of age, Chiyo sparks the ire of the much older Hatsumomo (Li Gong), the most celebrated geisha of the house, who accurately perceives Chiyo as a fitting rival.
Li Gong is excellent in her role as the vindictive, yet human, adversary, and her character manages to have Chiyo removed from geisha school and condemned to the life of a common slave. However, Chiyo's life takes a turn for the better following a chance encounter with The Chairman (Ken Watanabe). Flanked by two geisha, The Chairman extends his kindness to Chiyo, prompting her to develop a lifelong crush and to dream of one day becoming a geisha herself. Chiyo's wish comes true when a geisha from another house, Mameha (Michelle Yeoh), offers to personally train her, setting up an inevitable conflict between the two and Hatsumomo and her understudy. Meanwhile, the horrors of war and her lifelong pursuit of The Chairman's love burden Chiyo with additional hardships.
Although some traditionalists and geisha experts might take issue with the portrayal of geishas in general, the film certainly offers an interesting glimpse into a world and culture most Americans will find intriguing. Despite its two hour and twenty-five minute running time, Memoirs Of A Geisha is a captivating film that seems much shorter in duration. Like most films adapted from a novel, those who enjoyed the book will either love it or hate it depending on how well they perceive the switch to the big screen. But even those who hate it must admit that the costume and set design are exquisite and leave little room for improvement. At times, the cast speaks with heavy accents which can be confusing at moments, but overall, the scenes flow well from one to the next. With the exception of some American actors near the conclusion (Ted Levine of Monk fame plays a US Army Colonel), the majority of the cast is composed of Chinese and Japanese actors/actresses who are relatively unknown to American audiences - although Ken Watanabe might be recognizable given recent roles in The Last Samurai (2003) and Batman Begins (2005). The utilization of this cast helps focus audience attention on the merits of the film itself and not on a cast of stars, and this helps, rather than hinders, the film. As such, Memoirs Of A Geisha is a film most fans of the genre will thoroughly enjoy.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/memoirs-of-a-geisha-dvd-review-44598.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means to drive traffic to your website and promote yourself and your business. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Advertising Articles
The Importance of Article Writing
By: venkateshiyer | 01/12/2008
Today there are many people doing jobs or business from home. On account of the present economic recession phase, unemployment has become a very common phenomenon. Getting jobs is very difficult. So obviously people have to look out for some mode of survival.Working from home or doing business online is becoming more and more popular. Some of them prefer doing online advertising whereas some prefer to do freelance writing.
Frank Islam Investment Group, Business Now - 2002 Complete
By: mark | 01/12/2008
Frank F. Islam is a successful entrepreneur and investor based in metropolitan Washington, DC. He is the Chairman/CEO of FI Investment Group LLC (FIIG), an investment firm he founded in 2007.
Free Background Check Resources and Quality Records Search
By: Auster Wright | 01/12/2008
Tools and resources in free background check search online include free police reports, online news archives, arrest information, and other sites where information about a particular person can be discovered. Free background check is one way to detect whether a person had committed crimes or other offences before.
Reward Your Employees With Promotional Christmas Items
By: Kevin J Smith | 01/12/2008
Any organization is incomplete without its employees. Throughout the year they work tirelessly to meet the deadlines, to achieve targets and to make sure that the organization progresses in every sense of the term. They are the building blocks of the organization or the company. In return all that they expect is love, respect, admiration and recognition for their efforts. The best way in which the company can give them their due is by presenting them with various promotional items during Christmas.
Vehicle Wrap Tutorial in 8 Simple Steps
By: Cliff Romeo | 01/12/2008
Need a tutorial to learn to install vehicle wraps? This article provides 8 simple steps to create a solid vehicle wrap. It breaks down the basic steps involved in applying vehicle wrap graphics.
Time to Fool Your Burglars
By: Parmod Kumar | 30/11/2008
Burglary and theft is very prominent in the whole world. In the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims.
New Marketing Methods Should Only Add to Your Possibilities
By: Katie Marcus | 30/11/2008
What happened as soon as internet marketing started to become more and more prominent? People started wondering if the print market was going to be on the decline. Was this new form of marketing enough to replace the tried and true methods of poster printing, brochures or sending postcards through the mail?
Adsense is the Name of an Advertising Service That is Administered by Google!
By: Suman Sethi | 30/11/2008
Some of the very biggest buzz words on the internet right now are Adsense Blogging and Pinging. Many internet gurus claim these are the essentials for attracting visitors to your site and consequentially making those bucks through AdSense, you can check it out from.
More from Britt Gillette
Material Abundance In The End Times
By: Britt Gillette | 09/02/2008 | Religion
The world of the post-Industrial Revolution is one of vast material wealth, where average citizens enjoy a lifestyle that in generations past would have been the envy of kings and queens. Yet, in spite of this great material prosperity, most of the world ignores God, believing Him to be irrelevant...
The New Jerusalem
By: Britt Gillette | 09/02/2008 | Religion
One of God's most wonderful promises to those who love Him is the creation of the new Jerusalem, a place of unimaginable beauty and perfection. In fact, Jesus promised to go ahead of His followers and prepare a place for them in the new Jerusalem, and the Old Testament heroes...
The Tribulation: What The Bible Says
By: Britt Gillette | 09/02/2008 | Religion
The bible states that in the time just prior to the Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ, the world will experience a time of unprecedented trial and tribulation. This seven year period is referred to by most Christians as "the tribulation." But the bible refers to it by many names, including...
The Nationality Of The Antichrist
By: Britt Gillette | 09/02/2008 | Religion
One of the great mysteries concerning bible prophecy and the end times is the national identity of the Antichrist. This is an important topic because it will eventually aid the last days generation of Christians in the correct identification of the Antichrist. Fortunately, the Bible provides us with several details...
The Birth Of The Messiah
By: Britt Gillette | 08/02/2008 | Religion
Each year, millions of people throughout the world celebrate Christmas. The stated purpose for so doing is to celebrate the birth of the Messiah. But in a world preoccupied with materialism - in a pop culture that inundates its citizens with a 24-hour barrage of Santa Claus, shopping malls, talking...
The Abomination Of Desolation
By: Britt Gillette | 06/02/2008 | Religion
In the near future, an event of enormous significance will transpire in Jerusalem, the effects of which will resound throughout the world and throughout eternity. A man will ascend the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, go into the Holy of Holies within the rebuilt Jewish Temple, and proclaim himself to be...
The Coming Of The Prophet Elijah
By: Britt Gillette | 06/02/2008 | Religion
Prior to the arrival of Jesus Christ, the nation of Israel endured several hundred years of silence from the Lord. The Old Testament prophets who had in days past delivered regular messages from God Almighty suddenly went silent. But in the final verses of the Old Testament, God gave a...
Deception In The End Times
By: Britt Gillette | 06/02/2008 | Religion
According to bible, the end times will be marked by widespread deception, counterfeit miracles, and the appearance of false prophets. Each of these evils will contribute to an atmosphere that will deceive an untold number of people throughout the world.
Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus warned us about this time period:
"For...
|
|
Advertising 
