Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

It is the Story of Sayuri (Suzuka Ohgo), a famous geisha and her extraordinary life. As told by her mother Sayuri is like water, water can carve its way, even through stone and when trapped makes a new Path. Film opens in a unknown village where Chiyo and her sister Satsu forcibly removed from their home. Chiyo is taken care of Geisha's house whereas her sister deemed less attractive sold onto prostitution.She was not born to Geisha , but one day near Sunagawa she met a gentlemen. That man was so gentle to her and give her a cup of sweet ice and money to buy food. In that moment she changed from a girl nothing but emptiness and someone with some purpose. She wants to become Geisha and return his favor. And her Journey beginsGeisha are not courtesans, they are not wives . They sold their skills not bodies, she sings, entertained us. The very word Geisha means "Artist".There are plenty of good things of this movie is Storytelling, Costume Design, Cinematography, and of course the struggling of Chiyo and how she becomes Chiyo to Sayuri . Does she met the gentlemen ?

Memoirs of a Geisha is a classic love story about a young girl named Chiyo who is sold by her impoverished parents into the geisha district in Japan prior to World War II. Chiyo, the protagonist in this film, is a young girl whom is expected to learn the ways of being a geisha. That idea is squashed temporarily when Hatsumomo, the antagonist and fellow geisha, purposefully gets Chiyo into trouble. Chiyo continues to grow up in this home where she is raised as a slave instead of a geisha for her actions. Then one day, still a young girl, Chiyo encounters a man known as the chairman whom she falls in love with and proclaims at that moment that she will do everything that she can to be with him. This begins her journey into becoming a geisha. Most of the focus of this film is on the emotional aspect and complexity of human relationships. We feel for Chiyo's situation. We want to see her live a better life. She is living the life of Cinderella, an orphaned child living as a slave. She is transformed by different means but becomes the object of beauty. The uses of colors are very important in this film. There are several scenes that the use of color plays a role in the overall mood. For example, when Chiyo makes her debut as Sayuri in the snow dance we see lots of bold colors and shadows in the same scene creating a sense of beauty and mystery. Bold, red, Japanese lanterns hung above the stage, orange lighting behind the audience, and the blue lighting on the stage that shines upon Chiyo all create an intensely beautiful mood. The color blue is significant as Chiyo is told a few times that "there is too much water in her eyes" (Marshall, 2005) because of their bluish haze. This is very important to the story because Chiyo says in the first five minutes of the movie that her mother told her that Chiyo was "like water" and that "water can carve its way, even though stone. And when trapped, water makes a new path" (Marshall, 2005). We see in this film that Chiyo lives her life in this way throughout the film. When Hatsumomo tries to ruin her chances of becoming a geisha repeatedly and somehow Chiyo never gives in to her antics. Pumpkin also tries towards the end of the film and also fails. In the end, this film is not only about finding love but also about perseverance of the human spirit.

It is very well acted first of all and looks beautiful . This is a great story about the life of an orphaned girl sold by her dying parents to the sex trade. Then brought up to become a geisha.It is a very moving story and is very much a chick flick but it is far from boring and unsatisfying.If you do not like chick flicks then I would not suggest this to you but I do not like chick flicks usually and I love it still. If you manage fall asleep watching this film then you should just stick to watching explosions.But if you like movies with great acting and a compelling story then you will likely love this movie.

Not really an excellent story. But in terms of the art direction captured on the screen is magnificent and beautiful. The colors just blend in well from beginning till end.A complicated life and childhood during the Showa era where human trafficking is just common. Selling children is a way to obtain what you need.Chiyo/Sayuri is depicted to have a sad childhood with no one to turn to. Besides it's not her choice when her parents decided to sell her and her sister.The forbidden love is just lacking. Though some are needless to be said but it's not shown.