Memoirs Of A Geisha (DVD)

'Memoirs of a Geisha' is an amazing novel, and having heard it was going to be made into a film starring Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li (one of my favourite actresses) I was very excited. What I found was a very stylish, beautifully shot costume drama that ultimately didn't have a lot to show for itself.

The novel has a brilliant story and wonderful characters, but in this film the whole story was rushed and condensed, big parts of the novel were missing, and generally the way it was filmed seemed more focused on beautiful imagery and fancy direction rather than intimate storytelling. As a result, it didn't create anything like the drama of the book and I just felt that it was all style and no substance.

In terms of acting, I feel that the film would have been better if they'd had Japanese actresses speaking their own language, or possibly Asian actresses who at least had a good grasp of English. It's not a great thing to say, but the fact is with acting you need to be able to use language effectively, and none of the actors in this film could do that. Their speech was slow, stunted and often mispronounced or misinterpreted words. I'm sure they're good actresses, but just the difficulty with which they spoke the language came across heavily on screen and I felt this crippled the drama somewhat.

That said, I feel that 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is a very mediocre film. If you haven't read the book, than you may like it, if so then you're going to be seriously disappointed. This is an artistic, elaborate showcase of a film, it's not about people, the story is just a very mellow version of the book and the characters are butchered by actresses who can barely communicate coherently. It's all about pretty costumes and make-up and I left the cinema feeling very disappointed.

this is one of my favorite movies. i always remember an ex girlfriend with this movie.this movie always makes me cry whenever i see it. there is really a connection between the movie itself and its viewers. the dvd a bought is very clear. and it is original as well. it is no\t a waste of money if you are going to buy a movie like this. worth your money indeed.

I had read the book twice and was curious to see the film and how they compliment one another.
My expectations were exceeded. This is a beautiful film with amazing costumes and fascinating characters.The story transports you to feel as though you are amongst the characters, secretly watching them from around the corner.
The emotions are felt so clearly, I was swept away and enthralled.
This will be one to kepp and watch over again and again.
If you like Moulin Rouge, this is along similar lines.

I saw this film 2 days ago for the first time and it blew me away. Superb photography and the most incredible storyline, I was left sobbing at the end. A totally entrhralling film, not once did I become distracted or look at the clock. A fascinating glimpse into another world. Truly stunning.

Beautifully photographed, sensitively directed, and well-acted throughout, this is a very satisfying saga of tribulation eventually overcome, and well worth repeated viewing.

This is one of my favourite films of all time.
I love the old style Japan with its oriental beauty and this story is a true traditional love story about a girls love for a man she thinks is impossible to be with.
I would 100% recommend this to anybody who likes to settle down to a nice lovey dovey film.
Have the tissues ready.

I watched this film because I was curious about Geisha.I always thought that they lived in beautiful palaces.After reading the book I knew this assumption to be wrong. This film was very real and showed how things really were. It wasnt anywhere near as glamorous as I expected but I enjoyed it just the same.
I thought it was brilliantly acted and stayed quite true to the original story.
All in all I would recommend this film to anyone who is curious about Geisha.

An excellent film of Japanese culture and the lives of women in pre and immediately, post WW2 Japan. Sadly, the producers missed out, or did not clarify key points which spoilt it for me. I feel it's a must to read the book first so the film makes more sense due to holes in the storyline. However, the casting was superb, settings, costumes and scenery were excellent and the story was portayed realistically.

I would love to have seen a longer version of this fascinating and engaging film. It left me wondering why the makers selected to short-change the viewer as the storyline and originality of the theme was a rare opportunity to go for gold instead of silver.

A beautiful and sensitive film full of hope, determination, love and despair - one to watch again and again and definately to be recommended.

i have previosly read the book by arthur golden and the film was as close to the book as it could have been. definately recommend it.

I BOUGHT THIS DVD BECAUSE I HAD READ THE BOOK AND WANTED TO SEE HOW THE FILM PORTRAYED HER.
THE FILM WAS FINE BUT I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP UP WITH THE PLOTS PROBABLY BECAUSE I WAS SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME COMPARING IT TO THE BOOK.
I FELT THAT THE FILM DID NOT SHOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE TERRIBLE LIFE SHE HAD TO ENDURE ON HER WAY TO BECOMING A GEISHA.

AS FAR AS BEING A LOVE STORY - YES IT WAS!

WOULD I WATCH IT AGAIN - YES I WOULD

This has to be one of the most beautiful films ever made. Watching the extras avialable on the DVD shows just how much effort has gone into the making of this, not just a job for the actors but they and much of the proiduction team actually learning the life and attempting the training involved in becoming a Geisha. Hauntingly beautiful music and scenes, wonderful costumes and a fantastic adaptation of the novel written by Arthug Golden. The story follows the life a girl from her abduction from her family as a young child through her training to become a Geisha and through to an ending where she achieves everything she has ever wanted in life. The film holds your attention from start to finish - a wonderful insight into a culture which is largely unknown.

This was bought as a xmas present, I havent seen it myself, although my niece says its a beautiful film. Hasnt been watched yet as she is in New York!

After seeing the film at a cinema always wanted to see again and again so buying a dvd suited my purpose. Have watched it three times since with different members of family and friends. Good film

After reading the book and renting this film i knew i had to buy it.You could watch it time and time again and never tire. From the dramatic story to the stunning scenary to the heart wrenching romance of the film it is so easy to get wrapped up in the untold and mysterious world of the geisha.i would recommend that everyone watches it.

i enjoyed watching this film, i watched three times, from male point of view i think it is very good film indeed.

When this movie came out in Colchester where I live, I so wanted to go and see it as I love anything to do with Japanese culture..I have even studied Japanese as a language for a year..So, when I won this item, you can imagine my joy and I didnt really know what to expect..And we all know how Hollywood "jazzes" up lifestyles and I was wondering how they could remain within the realms of historical portrayal..and keep the audience entranced, and with "Memoirs of a Geisha", they succeeded, with flying colours..From the opening credits to the last strains of the music fading out, I was totally lost in the period and I felt I was a close friend of Sayuri and I was observing her life..That to me is realism..not fiction..I cried when she did and I felt every blow or cut she recieved..And in all this, I could understand her parents selling her to Mr Tanaka san.. maybe, it is frowned upon here in the West, but they had little or no choice..they could not feed themselves, let alone their two daughters..So,it was hard to see that, in action, if you will..but that was the state of play at that time..and to see her evolve into a Full Geisha, with the price she had to pay for that rank..She earned Y15,000..which must be a very high value, I do not want to use the word "price", that puts a detrimental feeling to Sayuri..In essence, she is "priceless" if you will..like a rare diamond, and I see her in that light..She would be more than welcome in my home, and to see her in her Kimono..she was beauty personified..and see the love slowly and very painfully blossom..between her and the Chairman, portrayed by Tanaka Ken san..was a story in itself..never mind anything else that happened to her..The only thing I did find a little strange was the American influence of World War 11..but, on reflection, it had to have happened, and it rightly showed the exploitation of the "Artist" (Geisha) translated..because that was whom she was and is, even to today in the 21st century..every facet of her life IS an art form..from the combing of her hair to the binding of her Obi..and the War, cheapened everything, and I found that very sad and distressing..But we all have to survive, in the world we find ourselves in..I got my husband to watch the movie and he is an American, and more personally, he is 20 years my junior..I am 54..and very proud of it..and he has seen all types of, shall we say, salacious material..and even he was deeply moved by this film..He was pretty sceptical of the directors` vision of what he wanted to show us, how Sayauri made her way through her life and how she dealt with situations as she found them..But, after this viewing, he was "hooked"..In short, this movie is now a treasure of its own in my home..And I am delighted I have it as part om my collection..I would recommend it anyone who wants to listen..

Ever read the book? You have to see the film. Saw the film? You have to read the book. A beautiful film about life, love and passion. Film about commitment to love and about the Japanese culture. Definitely one of the best films ever! That is why I purchased the dvd, to own it and watch it again and again...

I loved the book and love this genre of films!!!

This film was beautifully shot with an amazing attention to detail. Great costumes and altogether a lovely film for those who liked the book!!!

The acting was convincing, the scenary was hauntingly beautiful and it stayed true to the book and held your attention throughout, I did not feel bored at all!!!

Hurrah for Cinema!!

Great film. Having read the book I just had to get the film. One that I could watch again and again. Lovely scenes and great actors and actresses.

Having read the book I decided that I would like to watch the film. It is an excellent film to watch and the costumes are beautiful. The DVD has lots of extras to fill you in on all the work and research that went on to make the film. Also has interviews with lots of the actors.
I would definately recomend this DVD especially to anyone who is interested in how Geisha live.

Having read the book, I couldn't wait to watch the film. The book kept me entertained throughout and was so well written and had so much detail that I didn't want it to end.

The film is beautifully shot and keeps quite true to the book, but as with most adaptations, massive chunks are missing which lets the book down a lot. The actresses look stunning and everything just looks so authentic.

Having watched the film with two people that hadn't read the book, I could tell they were impressed with it, but a little shocked at some of the themes (as they didn't understand what being a geisha means).

If you haven't read the book, expect a beautiful film that tells the story of how geisha's run their lives and their roles in pre-war japan. If you've read the book, expect a very beautiful, but what feels like a slightly disjointed film as it all moves a lot faster than in the book with a lot less explanation.

Excellant director. Real cinema, beautifull scenes, intensly romantic. Even the moderate sex scenes are decent. Very well done.

Nice film & well directed with lovely images. While the book was better - but I even found the ending of the book to be quite rushed and a bit of an anti-climax. Liked the imagery as hadn't the first clue about anything to do with Japan or the culture when I read the book, but now feel I may read it again & understand some of the bit I didn't previously.

So, basically, nice film but mainly useful to add colour and imagery to the book.

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA is a lush, sweeping historical and romantic epic... er maybe but it is also long winded, slow, quite boring in places and not really that fantastic a film, well not an 'epic' certainly.

It is well shot. The cinematography is certainly lush, sweeping and romantic, it's just the story isnt. Well I didnt find it so. The central premise of girl loves boy (well old man) but girl cant have boy so girl goes a bit mournful but gets on with it and suffers from prolonged unrequited love is a bit paint by numbers and formulaic. There are mildly interesting insights into the world of the Geisha and of Japanese society, and it certainly starts off well; the initial third of the movie with the little Giesha-to-be learning her way around her new world is great. But the film is just far too longwinded for its own good and it starts dissapearing up it's own kimono clad backside with endless fan dances, long lingering glances and in house cat fights. Perhaps though my dissapointment is due to the hype I had experienced before watching the film. Perhaps my expectations had been raised too much and this is a harsh critique. Whatever. In my opinion Geisha is essentially glorified pretty looking Mills & Boon schlock for up on the screen - which is not neccesarily a bad thing, it just has to be your thing. It really should only be watched with a box of tissues at your side and a big bar of chocolate.