Cast & Credits
Sayuri: Ziyi Zhang
The Chairman: Ken Watanabe
Mameha: Michelle Yeoh
Hatsumomo: Gong Li
Nobu: Koji Yakusho
Pumpkin: Youki Kudoh
Columbia Pictures presents a film directed by Rob Marshall. Written by Robin Swicord. Based on the book by Arthur Golden. Running time: 137 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for mature subject matter and some sexual content).
I suspect that the more you know about Japan and movies, the less you will enjoy "Memoirs of a Geisha." Much of what I know about Japan I have learned from Japanese movies, and on that basis I know this is not a movie about actual geishas, but depends on the romanticism of female subjection. The heroines here look so very beautiful and their world is so visually enchanting as they live trapped in sexual slavery.
I know, a geisha is not technically a prostitute. Here is a useful rule: Anyone who is "not technically a prostitute" is a prostitute. As dear old Henry Togna, proprietor of the Eyrie Mansion in London, used to cackle while describing to me his friend the Duchess of Duke Street, "Sex for cash, m'dear. That's my definition."
Is the transaction elevated if there is very little sex, a lot of cash, and the prostitute gets hardly any of either? Hard to say. Certainly the traditions of the geisha house are culturally fascinating in their own right. But if this movie had been set in the West, it would be perceived as about children sold into prostitution, and that is not nearly as wonderful as "being raised as a geisha."
--more--
Sayuri: Ziyi Zhang
The Chairman: Ken Watanabe
Mameha: Michelle Yeoh
Hatsumomo: Gong Li
Nobu: Koji Yakusho
Pumpkin: Youki Kudoh
Columbia Pictures presents a film directed by Rob Marshall. Written by Robin Swicord. Based on the book by Arthur Golden. Running time: 137 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for mature subject matter and some sexual content).
I suspect that the more you know about Japan and movies, the less you will enjoy "Memoirs of a Geisha." Much of what I know about Japan I have learned from Japanese movies, and on that basis I know this is not a movie about actual geishas, but depends on the romanticism of female subjection. The heroines here look so very beautiful and their world is so visually enchanting as they live trapped in sexual slavery.
I know, a geisha is not technically a prostitute. Here is a useful rule: Anyone who is "not technically a prostitute" is a prostitute. As dear old Henry Togna, proprietor of the Eyrie Mansion in London, used to cackle while describing to me his friend the Duchess of Duke Street, "Sex for cash, m'dear. That's my definition."
Is the transaction elevated if there is very little sex, a lot of cash, and the prostitute gets hardly any of either? Hard to say. Certainly the traditions of the geisha house are culturally fascinating in their own right. But if this movie had been set in the West, it would be perceived as about children sold into prostitution, and that is not nearly as wonderful as "being raised as a geisha."
--more--
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