Geisha

[Syrreal]

I saw Memoirs of a Geisha last night. That movie was absolutely beautiful! It was such an interesting story and visually spectacular.

I think I'm going to read the book (but I need to find one that does not have the movie cover... I have issues with movie covers.)

 

[Tinijocaro]

We saw it this weekend. We both read the book this past summer and thought the movie was great- I don't usually think that of movies made from books. I think once you read the book, you should see the movie again- you will hae been clued into so much more than just having sen the movie.

Jackie

PS: We snuck sushi in for the authentic eating experience!!

 

[LoveWDW]

I read the book and want to see the movie. The descriptions in the book of the kimono were intriguing.

 

[Christine]

I picked up a copy of the book at a used book store, so I have the book with the "old" cover on it.

I am trying to convince my DD (14) to go see this movie with me today, but she is resisting. Will a 14 year old like this?

 

[NMAmy]

I picked up a copy of the book at a used book store, so I have the book with the "old" cover on it.

I am trying to convince my DD (14) to go see this movie with me today, but she is resisting. Will a 14 year old like this?

I think it might be a little slow for a 14 yo, Christine. I don't think my 15 yo dd would like it but, well, I've been wrong about her taste before!

I read the book several years ago so it wasn't fresh in my mind (which was good, I hate when movies leave stuff out or change the story line.) I really enjoyed the movie but the beginning felt so claustrophobic. It was very dark and they were in and out of all these doors, little rooms, and alleyways.

 

[lemondog]

I just finished reading the book. It was so good I read the entire thing in 2 days, and it's now my favorite book ever. The last time I said that about a book was 1997 so it takes a LOT for me to rate a book that highly. AMAZING! I am afraid to see the movie now because I don't think it could possibly be as good as the book.

 

[llij]

Borders has the book with the old cover as well as the movie cover. I just read the book and really enjoyed it. I would love to see the movie!

 

[barkley]

also read "geisha-a life". it is written by the actual woman "memoirs of a geisha" was written about. she was unhappy about some of the inacuracies the original book contained (which she consulted on with the author) (spec. about the manner in which she entered the culture and some of the geisha practices), she also writes about what happened after the original book ends.

i loved the original, and reading the second was like hearing a great story from an insiders prospective, with a lot more details.

barnes and noble on line have both (and memoirs has the original jacket cover).

 

[Just2554]

I saw this movie on Friday and loved it as well. It followed closely to the book and the imagery was just beautiful.

 

[Pig Pen]

This was the most enjoyable book I have read since finishing Dan Brown's DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. I was so sad to have it end!

 

[firstmickey]

I just finished and loved this book too! I can't wait to see the movie.

 

[akhenaten]

The movie was VERY good!! I will have to read both books now!!

My 16 year old DD enjoyed the movie as well.......

 

[ZachnElli]

I just finished the book too and loved it! I can't wait to see the movie! I'll have to check out that other book mentioned, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Daxx]

I love, love, love the book and wish I could only say the same for the movie. I thought the movie was good ... but thought that Gong Li and Michelle Yeoh were too old for their roles. Maybe I got the wrong impression from the book, but I thought Hatsumomo and Mameha were in their early 20's as geisha. Gong Li (Hatsumomo) looked like she was in her late 30's and Michelle Yeoh (Mameha) looked at least 40! I thought that Gong Li was not as "striking" as the book's description of Hatsumomo. In the book, Hatsumomo was an absolute beauty and I didn't see it in Gong Li. She sure did bring out the beotch in Hatsumomo, though! I thought that Ziyi Zhang did a good job as Sayuri and so did the girl who played Pumpkin (although I pictured Pumpkin as being rounder faced and slightly plumper).

The scenery was absolutely gorgeous and as I pictured it in my head. I also liked Ken Wantanabe and thought he did a great job.

I liked the scene where Pumpkin picked up the stick of squid from the street -- a small detail from the book that could have been overlooked, but was kept in!

I wonder what the movie would have been like had Speilberg directed it, as he was originally going to do. After he agreed to direct it, he decided to drop the movie b/c he felt it wasn't right for him.

 

[Syrreal]

I will have to read both books... maybe during the summer. My only gripe with the movie is that I wish it was in Japanese with subtitles. I'm a dork that way

I thought that hatsumomo looked a bit on the skanky side. I wasn't sure if she was supposed to look like that or if it was the directors choice.

 

[lecach]

I read the book and saw the movie - loved them both. But there was one scene that didnt make sense to me. And I cant remember if it was more clear in the book or not. When they announce that Sayuri has had 15000 yen offered for her "virtue". The "mother" says she will adopt her and therefore get to keep the money. Why is this a good thing? Wouldnt it be better for Sayuri to have her independence? I've asked other people that saw the movie and they cant explain it either.

 

[Christine]

I read the book and saw the movie - loved them both. But there was one scene that didnt make sense to me. And I cant remember if it was more clear in the book or not. When they announce that Sayuri has had 15000 yen offered for her "virtue". The "mother" says she will adopt her and therefore get to keep the money. Why is this a good thing? Wouldnt it be better for Sayuri to have her independence? I've asked other people that saw the movie and they cant explain it either.

Oh, I know this answer--it was discussed on another thread.

If Sayuri is adopted, when the "mother" dies, she will inherit the house/business.

 

[Dare2Wish]

Yes, if she becomes the adopted one her future is secure.

Saw the movie last night and it was beautiful. Geisha is one of my favorite movies now.

 

[Daxx]

Re. Sayuri's virtue ("mizuage") ... remember that a Geisha owes a debt to the house she works for. She has to pay off that debt (for room, board, kimono, etc.) ... and, in most cases, the debt never gets paid off b/c it's so high. Even though her fee was 15,000 yen, it *might* have been enough to "free" her but, knowing Mother, she would have come up w/some excuse or another to keep Sayuri under her thumb. Even if the cash covered Sayuri's debt, Mother knew Sayuri would be a popular Geisha and would've managed to keep her indebted to the house.

By having the mother adopt her, Sayuri gets her "freedom" (in a sense), the okiya becomes hers and she can run it the way she chooses to. If Pumpkin were adopted, then Hatsumomo (as the older sister) would have made sure she had a hand in how the okiya ran. You can bet it would've been bad news for Sayuri if Hatsumomo had even the smallest bit of control. WE all know that Hatsumomo would have pushed Pumpkin into being malicious to Sayuri.

 

[DreaminDisney]

I too am really looking forward to seeing this movie. I'd like to read the book first though. Next time I'm at the book store....