Memoirs of a Geisha

I totally agree, the film was big let down but I loved the book.

I loved the costumes/make up in the film tho, especially the nasty Geishas outfits, and also Ted Levine being in it.I just watched him instead of paying attention to the film.

All in all, stick to the book.Its so much more romantic, I didnt want it to end.

Wow I just IMDB'd Ted Levine with who I am not familiar. He's done alot of stuff. Is he a big star in your neck of the woods?

I'll have to disagree with you though on th make up. I was not Geisha as described in the book.

It's been a while, but doesn't she eventuall go to New York? The movie ended before that.

Start by understanding that this film isn't a factual rendition of Japanese history.It's a sumptious fantasy with a gripping emotional story.

Arthur Golden's novel blends first hand accounts,roumers and Western storytelling,so it's NOT surprising that the filmmakers didn't feel bound by authenticity.They recreate mid 20th century Kyoto as a Japanese fairyland.The costumes are fabulose but drasticaly stylised.The make-up is far more natural than any Geisha would wear.This is a piece of work made for the cinema,NOT for the History Channel !

The filmmakers cast prominent Chinese actresses in the principal roles.They are staggeringly good but their physicality is notably different from the Japanese.

Director Marshall tells the story exceptionally well.Sayuri's odyssey is deeply involving and leads to a superb conclusion.So even if it's exagerated and impossible compared with the novel,the film still manages to grab your eye with it's spectacular artistry,and your heart with it's simple tale of yearning.

I didnt feel any of the yearning with the main characters like I did in the book!

Was sitting oposite a young lady on the train a couple of weeks ago and noticed that she was reading this book.Seeing as I enjoyed the film so much,I had a mind to ask her opinion,but,being British,I bottled it
So,if Amazon are true to their word,I will receive my copy within the week.

I hope you enjoy it.

Book - good (but girly)

Film - BAD (but girly)

The girly parts were the best parts.

If you want to get the real story of being Geisha I suggest reading
"Life of a Geisha" by Eleanor Underwood and Liza Dalby. It was written by a an American sociologist (Dalby) who went to Japan and became a geisha. The author of "Memoirs" used Dalby's book as the foundation for his novel.

I saw the movie on dvd and thought it was visually magnificent. They took loads of liberties, which they spoke of in the accompanying "The Making of..." disc. Having never read the book, I can't compare.

I started to read that Dalby book of her life as a real english geisha but wasnt as appealing as memoirs.
Too much fact, not enough lurve.

I saw the film in a movie theater. The cinematography was the best feature. I never read the book, but my disappointment with the film was that the story itself was superficial. The central character becomes a geisha because she thinks it will help her pursue a specific man. I doubt that reading the book would be any more satisfying.

Why is that superficial? I'm sure each woman had her own reasons for becoming geisha, that is, if she had a sayso in the matter at all. It was one woman's tale.

eoe,

I should amend that a little bit. I was very sympathetic with the first half of the story (two girls abandoned by their family for economic reasons). I was not sympathetic with the second half of the story.

Well, okay. There was an air of bait n' switch to it. You go into it thinking that you're watching something historical (to a degree) and somewhat educational and then it becomes just another melodramatic love story. That kinda took me by surprise as well.

But it was visually spectacular. I forgave them.

The "bad" geisha reminded me of a present-day supermodel. My stepson and I have nicknamed her Naomi Campbell-si.

I also forgave the cinematic adaptation for driving the story in a markedly different way than the novel. What really happened to the main character in the end was tragic and really rather depressing.