Memoirs of a Geisha - WOW!

pink_fortitude

pink_fortitude

Banned
I was lucky enough to get free passes to see this last night with a group of girlfriends. We were all blown away! This movie is so incredibly moving!!!! We all have different tastes, but we all agreed that this was one incredible movie. The acting was so amazing, and the way the story started just pulled at your heart strings and it didn't stop. Did I already say that it was incredible?!? :p I don't usually get so worked up after watching a movie, but I highly recommend this if you have time over the holidays, you will not be disappointed. I did get the feeling that the movie left out a lot, so I am picking up the book while I am out today. :)

Oh, and you may want to leave your fellas at home, this is a DEFINITE chick flick!

Missy
 
Thanks for the update. I've been wanting to see this one ever since I saw the previews months ago. Too bad DH will not go to the theater to watch chick flicks. I guess I might have to wait until it is released on DVD.
 
Hi Missy! This is a much anticipated film for me to see. I LOVED the book. The book is a must read. You won't be able to put it down. Yes I'm quite sure they left parts out. Too bad I actually missed meeting the author when he was at a book signing here in NY.x( But my co-worker had met him & had a one-on-one conversation w/him for 45 min. I was so jealous. He had spoken about all of the controversy over the film. Very interesting conversation. Anyway thanks for sharing. Kathy:D
 
I hated the book with a passion and put it down because I just couldn't finish it, so I'm doubting I'll enjoy the movie.
 
Is this a chick flick? If it is, I won't like it! I saw previews and the clothes and scenery look fantastic but I just can't sit through a love gushy love story. Wierd for a girl, I know :) .
 
Candi: A direct quote from Missy:

"Oh, and you may want to leave your fellas at home, this is a DEFINITE chick flick!"
 
I was lukewarm to the book but I think it could be made into a really good movie. I read it shortly after I read the "Good Earth" by Pearl Buck (excellent book, no wonder it's a classic), and by then I think I was overwhelmed with negative emotion about how some cultures have traditionally treated women.
 
It isn't really a gushy love story, it plays more on this young girl's struggles and rising to stardom, about the rules and restrictions and glories of being Geisha. She does fall in love, but it isn't grossy yuck. The reason why you don't want to bring your guys is because it is all about women and nothing gets blown up. ;)

Shelley, why didn't you like the book?

Missy
 
The reason why you don't
>want to bring your guys is because it is all about women and
>nothing gets blown up. ;)


LOL!!! Yes, the "blow it up, shoot 'em up, scorch the earth" factor is very important!

Michele
 
I read this book when I was about 20, so I'm sure I missed quite a bit of the content...Can't wait to see the movie, though...After watching previews of this, went looking for the book again. Must have given it to a friend or donated it to the library. Oh, well...Most of the time the story gets wrecked if you see the movie after reading the book...I wonder if it's the same with this one???

MJ
 
Call me fussy. I loved the book, but was really disappointed by the movie. The movie is beautiful and the acting is good, but I've read and studied a lot about Japanese culture, and "Geisha" just struck me as really inaccurate. The women were much too direct and even crass by Japanese standards--more so for geisha, who were reknowned for their witty repartee, extraordinary politeness, and their ability to converse on any topic (for which they spent years and years studying, by the way)--plus the movie makers didn't even bother to get the hair or kimonos right for geisha vs maiko.

Anyhow, my 2 cents. It IS a beautiful movie, and as long as I pretended that it wasn't really about Japan, I enjoyed it. I was just expecting much more.
 
>Call me fussy. I loved the book, but was really disappointed
>by the movie. The movie is beautiful and the acting is good,
>but I've read and studied a lot about Japanese culture, and
>"Geisha" just struck me as really inaccurate. The women were
>much too direct and even crass by Japanese standards--more so
>for geisha, who were reknowned for their witty repartee,
>extraordinary politeness, and their ability to converse on any
>topic (for which they spent years and years studying, by the
>way)--plus the movie makers didn't even bother to get the hair
>or kimonos right for geisha vs maiko.
>
>Anyhow, my 2 cents. It IS a beautiful movie, and as long as I
>pretended that it wasn't really about Japan, I enjoyed it. I
>was just expecting much more.


My DH is much the same way in his critique of movies. For instance, his undergraduate degree is in modern European history and literature, so if we watch a movie about WWI or WWII, he knows and will immediately tell you if anything is incorrect--right down to the uniforms and medals. He knows every detail about every battle. It's neat but frustrating at the same time.

Michele
 
I can definitely see where it would be frustrating for you! Me--I love that type of stuff. I love knowing the real details and how people lived and what customs they followed. I want to see what makes their way of life and culture and customs different from mine. When I spend $$ on a movie, I expect the director to pay attention to those details. Remember the Shogun series from the 1980s? They did a wonderful job of it and I guess I was expecting something more along those lines.
 
So, you are saying that it was very Americanized? :+ I can see that. A movie like how you described would NOT sit well with American culture, women particularly, at all. I have to admit that I know little about Japanese history and culture, so not knowing anything about it, I did find it enjoyable. I am looking forward to digging into the book.

Missy
 
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