01-28-2006, 07:08 AM
Khairete,
I finally saw the movie and found it visually pleasing but poor otherwise. All the hiearchal positions and basic lifestyle of the okiya were for the most part accurate, although accuracy in that field is not difficult to achieve. The dances (Sayuri's solo was a bit much), movements, and little etiquittes were usually correct (minor things aside as they could be blamed on the personal quirks of the individual). The Kimonos were right according to season and occasion. The makeup was toned down quite a bit and sometimes completely bogus (Full lipstick on an early Maiko!? WTF!?), as was the repetition certain hairstyles. And the actresses were Chinese...
But worst of all was the way the Geisha figure was portrayed. According to this movie, Geisha are slaves to their lifestyle. The movie made them out to be expensive whores who are condemned to an unhappy life of servitude and are reliant on their danna for income.
NOT TRUE!! Geisha chose their lovers, and it was up to the Geisha if she wanted to sell herself. She did not have any financial need for prostitution or a danna, Geisha make more than enough to support themselves. Mineko Iwaski "The Star of Gion" made something like $500,000 a year and she was a virgin until her first boyfriend when she was in her mid to late 20's.
As far as story and script, 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is C grade. After all, it was based on a D Grade novel (IMHO). But despite it all, MoaG has great visuals and it is worth watching just to see the Geisha. I recommend wearing headphones with your own music and drinking Sake while watching 'Memoirs of a Geisha.' Johann Strauss and Marilyn Manson go well with Geisha, somehow...
Khairete,
-Aedon
I finally saw the movie and found it visually pleasing but poor otherwise. All the hiearchal positions and basic lifestyle of the okiya were for the most part accurate, although accuracy in that field is not difficult to achieve. The dances (Sayuri's solo was a bit much), movements, and little etiquittes were usually correct (minor things aside as they could be blamed on the personal quirks of the individual). The Kimonos were right according to season and occasion. The makeup was toned down quite a bit and sometimes completely bogus (Full lipstick on an early Maiko!? WTF!?), as was the repetition certain hairstyles. And the actresses were Chinese...
But worst of all was the way the Geisha figure was portrayed. According to this movie, Geisha are slaves to their lifestyle. The movie made them out to be expensive whores who are condemned to an unhappy life of servitude and are reliant on their danna for income.
NOT TRUE!! Geisha chose their lovers, and it was up to the Geisha if she wanted to sell herself. She did not have any financial need for prostitution or a danna, Geisha make more than enough to support themselves. Mineko Iwaski "The Star of Gion" made something like $500,000 a year and she was a virgin until her first boyfriend when she was in her mid to late 20's.
As far as story and script, 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is C grade. After all, it was based on a D Grade novel (IMHO). But despite it all, MoaG has great visuals and it is worth watching just to see the Geisha. I recommend wearing headphones with your own music and drinking Sake while watching 'Memoirs of a Geisha.' Johann Strauss and Marilyn Manson go well with Geisha, somehow...
Khairete,
-Aedon
Felix Lucini
It will not be long before you have forgotten all the world, and in a little time all the world will have forgotten you.
It will not be long before you have forgotten all the world, and in a little time all the world will have forgotten you.
