Retrospective: Memoirs of a Geisha

I'm going to introduce a new heading for posts called 'Retrospective.' These posts will typically deal with reevaluating a film, comparing it to other films of the time, or just plain talking about an older movie again. I also know I had a series of 'Movies to Study,' and there is a new post of that kind coming soon--I promise!

Memoirs of a Geisha is not a perfect film. I'm ambivalent toward the introduction of the bombings and how it affects Sayuri (basically, the third act of the film). On the one hand, it takes us completely out of the Geisha world of Japan that we've spent 100 minutes establishing to something completely remote; however, wars are a part of history and the exclusion of them--it could be argued--would discredit the accuracy of the film. But how accurate is it in the first place? That is not the point.

The film is supremely strong for two reasons: The first, and most obvious, is the enormous success of Ziyi Zhang. Not only is she gorgeous (making her a Geisha seems much easier than it would take for some), but consider some of her other roles in films like: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2046, and House of Flying Daggers (underrated). If you have seen this movie (or any of those), you will know what I'm talking about.

But the second reason this film is so great is its aesthetic. It won the Oscars for Art Direction, Set Design, and Cinematography. These weren't easy wins, considering cinematography was up against Brokeback Mountain and Emmanuel Lubezki (one of the best cinematographers working today). But to judge cinematography in the simplest way, one must ask: Which film looks the prettiest? Well, that answer is easy.

Two scenes come to mind when I think of this film. If I had to sit down and pick two scenes out, that would be a supreme challenge since the whole movie looks so fantastic--but in memory, these two come out the most vividly.



The first is of young Sayuri running to the wishing well with the money given to her by the Chairman. Sayuri explains that she was given enough money to feed them for a month, but instead she dropped it into the well, wishing that she would someday meet with the Chairman again. She runs to make this wish, and until this point her life has been sullen and miserable--and out of nowhere, after this act of kindness, is an explosion of colors. A still frame, like all of these scenes, does the film no justice. Watch the film (and see the other reasons after the cut).



The second scene--and most memorable--is Sayuri's snow dance. This takes place in the film after Hatsumomo attempts to ruin Sayuri's claims of virginity. Geisha's sell their virginity to the highest bidder, and in order to show how pure she still is, here is the dance Sayuri performs:



Youtube quality severely reduces the effect--on DVD the colors are much more piercing. Can you guess the symbolism of the white and red snow/lights? I hope so, because it's not subtle.

Memoirs of a Geisha is a superb visual treat. Honestly, the plot is strong as well. We see and feel Sayuri's struggles throughout the film, and though it drags at some points (mainly the beginning of act 3), I still want to watch this film again right now--and I watched it yesterday.