Memoirs of a Geisha-Theater

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Dir. Rob Marshall

I actually read the book several years ago, before all the hubbub. And it's actually a very nice book; I'd recommend it. Adapting books into movies, however, is a dangerous game, because everyone will compare them, even though they shouldn't. This is an especially difficult book to adapt because of it's rapt attention to season, custom, and fashion, describing minute details of various rituals and their meanings to near exhaustion.

So who better to direct such a complicated adaptation than a man who came into film through choreography? Personally, I never knew that was the way to go, and as soon as singers and composers start becoming film directors, I'm set. So as you might probably guess, I don't necessarily approve of the choice of Marshall for director. (Ang Lee, Jane Campion, Zhang Yimou, Wong Kar-Wai all would have been wonderful choices, and given the success of Brokeback Mountain, the studios are probably kicking themselves now)

Oh yeah, the movie. This film keeps in mind three C's: costumes, cinematography, and choreography (naturally). The casting is great, considering the biggest and most talented stars were chosen. Their abilities saved this film from being a big pile of crap, but didn't catapult it into the realm of great films. It is something that is beautiful to look at, that's for sure. Similar to Chicago, this film is full of wonderful spectacles of costume, dancing and great camera stuff. It falls pretty short on any sort of human element, which is a shame, since that's what the book is about. Yes, it's a love story. But it's also a peek into rituals and cultural customs that we Americanos are rarely exposed to.

So sure, go see it, and marvel at the colors, the costumes, and the talented acting. Try to ignore the fact the story has been drained of its most beautiful parts.