Memoirs of a Geisha (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

It's hard to find fault with the fascinating story, which traces a young girl's determination to free herself from the imprisonment of scullery maid to geisha, then from the imprisonment of geisha to a woman allowed to love. Chiyo (Suzuka Ohgo), a young girl with curious blue eyes, is sold to a geisha house and doomed to pay off her debt as a cleaning girl until a stranger named The Chairman (Ken Watanabe) shows her kindness. She is inspired to work hard and become a geisha in order to be near the Chairman, with whom she has fallen in love. An experienced geisha (Michelle Yeoh) chooses to adopt her as an apprentice and to use as a pawn against her rival, the wicked, legendary Hatsumomo (Gong Li). Chiyo (played as an older woman by Ziyi Zhang), now renamed Sayuri, becomes the talk of the town, but as her path crosses again and again with the Chairman's, she finds the closer she gets to him the further away he seems. Her newfound "freedom" turns out to be trapping, as men are allowed to bid on everything from her time to her virginity.

Some controversy swirled around casting Chinese actresses in the three main Japanese roles, but Zhang, Yeoh and Gong in particular ably prove they're the best for the part. It's admirable that all the actors attempted to speak Japanese-accented English, but some of the dialogue will still prove difficult to understand; perhaps it contributes to some of the emotion feeling stilted. Geisha has all the ingredients of a sweeping, heartbreaking epic and follows the recipe to a T, but in the end it's all dressed up with no place to go.--Ellen A. Kim

Spotlight Reviews
The greatest true story that never was. (2008-12-30)
Customer Review : 4
Hard to belive this is not a true story. Looks and sounds great on Blu-Ray. For you who say its not the book remember, this is a movie based on a book so watch the movie for what it is, A MOVIE!

2.5 stars out of 4 (2008-12-27)
Customer Review : 3
The Bottom Line:

Memoirs of a Geisha uses actors whose English skills preclude authentic performances and a story that moves along a predetermined line (and decides that World War II wasn't important to Japan) towards a conclusion that rings hollow; this movie is gorgeous to look at but nothing more.

Fantastic (2008-12-16)
Customer Review : 5
I bought this movie (which is one of my favorites). Movie
was brand new and I didn't have to wait long to get it.
I always buy from Amazon because they have the best service
and suppliers. Thanks.

Just a plain good movie (2008-12-14)
Customer Review : 4
Memoirs embodies what movies should be and become. Such a visually well done movie with great acting and well played emotion throughout the entire movie.

Wonderful movie! (2008-12-11)
Customer Review : 5
I have seen hundreds of movies and this one is very unique. It deals with the complex a complex occupation though it is stated that these are fictional accounts.

Its heartfelt, warm, artsy and refreshing when compared to a western lifestyle.