Memoirs of a Geisha (www.the-usher.com)

"You are Geisha"

Sold by her family, nine year-old Chyio (Ohgo) is taken to Kyoto's Gion district to serve in a Geisha house. Hated by the head geisha of the house Hatsumomo (Gong-Li) because of her blossoming beauty and stunning blue eyes, her life is made a misery until she rescued by Hatsumomo's bitter rival Mameha (Yeoh). Under her tutelage, Chyio trains in artist and social skills to emerge as Kyoto's most celebrated debutant geisha under her new name, Sayuri (Zhang).

After Oscar winning success with the big screen version of 'Chicago', director Rob Marshall's second foray into the world of cinema is just as big a scale.

Based on the award-winning novel by Arthur Golden, 'Memoirs of a Geisha's' journey to the silver screen has been a very long one. Originally to be directed by Steven Spielberg, who is now the executive producer, the project was handed to Marshall after his award winning triumphs with his musical adaptation and he brings his visual flare and sense of theatre to this tale from the orient.

Beginning in 1929, the story of girl who became the most famous Geisha in Japan is made all the more endearing by the presence of an all-Asian cast. Rob Marshall and his team have gathered together some of the finest talents that the region has to offer to bring the story to life on the silver screen. Ziyi Zhang makes her English-speaking debut as the older Chyio who blossoms into Sayuri. No stranger to the historical epic, after starring in renowned Asian hits like 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers', Ziyi Zhang grasps her chance to reveal herself to the English speaking audience with great aplomb. This is a role that will finally make Hollywood take note of her acting as well as her physical talents, giving her the chance to audition for roles other than martial arts ones.

Her support is equally as good. Michelle Yeoh also gets a chance to show that there is more to her acting talents than martial arts. As Mameha, she has the chance to be a mentor figure to Chyio as the world of the Geisha is reveal to her student. This is a role that the actress excels in, proving again that she is a remarkable talent. Ken Watanabe brings some class to the production as the Chairman. He is the man that Chyio longs to be with but is bound by honour to his war comrade, who is enchanted by the beautiful geisha. This is a role that Watanabe gets to display his leading man qualities and show why he is such a star in Japan. Gong-Li plays the stunningly beautiful Hatsumomo and really seems to have fun been the jealous and vindictive geisha who just wants to ruin Chyio's life. This is a role that she really gives everything, throwing herself into the character to create someone you really do end up hating.

'Memoirs of a Geisha' is a stunningly beautiful film. Every single frame is sumptuous to behold, a visual feast for the eye but production design doesn't make a movie. The performances of cast compliment the lush setting but it is the story itself that lets the film down. While the introduction to the world of the Geisha is a fascinating one, it is the love story that lets the film down. The whole plotline is extremely predictable, as it flows to its inevitable conclusion with no great surprises. This subdues the epic scale of the piece substantially making this just a good romance and not an enduring one.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well, highlighting the stunning visuals.

BONUS FEATURES

Audio Commentary
Director Rob Marshall and co-producer/choreographer John Deluca talk about bringing the novel to the silver screen. The pair reveals the two-year process of adapting the novel and creating the Japanese era on which this was set. They talk about filming in Japan and recreating the era in sets. The pair also reveal the amount of research and preparation both they and the actors had to go through. This is a chatty and informative commentary that fans of the film will enjoy.

Sayuri's Journey: From Novel to Screen (14.28 mins)
Director Rob Marshall, author Arthur Golden, screenwriter Robin Swincord and producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher talk about the impact of the novel and adapting for the silver screen. They revel the impact of the book and the author talks about how he researched and wrote the story, highlighting the number of drafts and changes it when through over the writing period. They then talk about the adaptation, revealing the changes and compromises they had to take, bringing it to the big screen.

Geisha Boot Camp (12.06 mins)
Director Rob Marshall, producer Douglas Wick, executive producer Patricia Whitcher, co-producer/choreographer John Deluca and stars Ziyi Zhang, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh and Zoe Weizbaum talk about the preproduction preparation the actors had to go through for the film. This includes behind the scenes footage of dance, movement, dress, music and tea serving training.

The Look of a Geisha (16.21 mins)
Director Rob Marshall, geisha consultant Lisa Dalby, makeup designer Nariko Watanabe, costume designer Colleen Atwood and stars Ziyi Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Watanabe, Lyndell Quiyou, Youki Kudih and Zoe Weizbaum talk about taking come artistic licence with the look of a traditional geisha. We also see camera tests for the makeup and hair designs and the wearing of kimonos.

A Geisha's Dance (8.14 mins)
Director Rob Marshall, co-producer/choreographer John Deluca, Japanese dance consultant Miyako Tachibana, associate choreographer Denise Faye, costume designer Colleen Atwood, geisha consultant Lisa Dalby and star Ziyi Zhang talk about combining the traditional with the cinematic.

The World of the Geisha (8.32 mins)
Director Rob Marshall, author Arthur Golden, geisha consultant Lisa Dalby and stars Ziyi Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, Youki Kudih and Kaori Momoi examine what a geisha is and their place in modern Japanese society.

Chef Nobu's Recipes
Read the recipes for new style Sashmi, boiled cod in miso sauce and mushroom toban yaki.

Photo Galleries
View behind the scenes and illustration images from the film

OVERALL

The DVD treatment of 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is good and fans should be very pleased. The featurettes cover most aspects of the film's production and the commentary track is very good. They really complement the film.

DVD

House of Flying Daggers

2046

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2006