Memoirs of a Geisha

(Herald rating: * * *)

Memoirs of a Geisha is another highly stylised film from director Rob Marshall (Chicago), and while one of the most visually beautiful films of the year, it will unfortunately also be remembered as one of the most emotionally unengaging.

Although a relatively honest adaptation of the best-selling novel by Arthur Golden, lovers of the novel will find the film lacking.

Marshall doesn't cater to purists and fans of subtitles, but rather aims to appeal to a wide audience, and his Westernisation of this Japanese story and lack of Japanese actresses in lead roles has caused controversy. It's what you'd expect of an American adaptation, especially from a man who knows how to get Oscar nominations for a musical.

Memoirs of a Geisha is set pre-World War II, and is the story of Chiyo, a young girl sold by her poor fisherman father to a geisha house in the city of Gion. Chiyo (Suzuka Ohg) becomes a maid to the infamous Hatsumomo (Gong Li), a bitter and ambitious geisha who recognises Chiyo as a potential future rival.

While Hatsumomo does everything she can to break Chiyo, a random act of kindness by a stranger known as Chairman, played by the dashing Ken Watanabe (who upstaged Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai), creates a desire to better herself and become a geisha in the hope of serving this kind man.

Later mentored by Hatsumomo's rival Mameha (Yeoh), Chiyo, now called Sayuri, learns the art of geisha, and discovers it's a life of sacrifice, hardship and, often, cruelty, and where love and true emotion are discouraged.

Fans of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The House of Flying Daggers will see their favourite martial arts stars in more refined roles. Yeoh, Li and Zhang as the adult Sayuri contribute stunning performances, but the film is long, and the desire to see one of them lash out with a flying dagger is almost overwhelming.

Memoirs of a Geisha is beautifully designed, full of style and has actors of substance, but something has been lost in the translation of this tale. The result leaves you feeling cold, unmoved and restless in your seat.


CAST: Suzuka Ohgo, Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Youki Kudoh
DIRECTOR: Rob Marshall
RUNNING TIME: 145 minutes
RATING: M
SCREENING: Village and Hoyts cinemas