Memoirs of a Geisha

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Memoirs of a Geisha

PG-13

2005

2h 35m

Drama

Romance

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Popcornmeter

35%

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165 Reviews

83%

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250,000+ Ratings

In the 1920s, 9-year-old Chiyo gets sold to a geisha house. There, she is forced into servitude, receiving nothing in return until the house's ruling hierarchy determines if she is of high enough quality to service the clientele -- men who visit and pay for conversation, dance and song. After rigorous years of training, Chiyo becomes Sayuri, a geisha of incredible beauty and influence. Life is good for Sayuri, but World War II is about to disrupt the peace.

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Critics Consensus

Less nuanced than its source material, Memoirs of a Geisha may be a lavish production, but it still carries the simplistic air of a soap opera.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

01/10/2019

2/4

Ziyi's fragile radiant presence lights up the screen, the standout scene being her public dance performance which marks her ascension into geishadom.

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Zadie Smith

Daily Telegraph (UK)

01/16/2018

Memoirs of a Geisha hurts the heart and the brain with its crushing monotony, inert, sub-human dialogue and Marshall's calculated attempt to sell us another Hollywood fairytale of prostitution.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

03/31/2008

Trying too hard to grab our attention, [Marshall] loses it. The art of the geisha prizes subtlety, stillness, grace. Why doesn't this movie?

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Arnold Wayne Jones

Texas Triangle/TXT

05/07/2023

3/4

When the initially muddled exposition finally begins to take shape and Geisha gets its blood flowing, things improve immeasurably.

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Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

01/30/2020

Marshall has instead crafted a mildly smarmy, heavy-breathing fantasy about some super-hot babes knocking each other down to get to the man meat while ignoring the fact that they are essentially sex slaves.

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Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

06/05/2019

2.5/4

Certainly is beautiful to look at, but it holds the audience at bay with one dainty, silk-shrouded arm.

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Audrey H

@audreyholds 3d

I think I would have loved this way more had I not read the book first; however, still love the story.

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Josh W

@josh.wilson_za_uk Dec 26

Memoirs of a Geisha is easily one of my all-time favourite films. From start to finish it is visually breathtaking, every frame packed with colour, texture, and detail that makes the world feel alive. Hatsumomo is a chaotic force and utterly unforgettable, and I love her in every scene she is in. Gong Li brings her to life with such precision and intensity, owning the screen in a way that makes you hate her, fear her, and yet be completely mesmerised all at once. Ziyi Zhang and Michelle Yeoh are phenomenal too, giving the story heart, weight, and elegance, but Gong Li steals every scene she touches. The tension is electric, and the drama lands with real emotional impact. Watching Chiyo’s journey from innocence to resilience is heartbreaking and powerful, and the story is elevated by the performances, the atmosphere, and the sheer beauty of the production. It is immersive and every time I watch it I find something new to fall in love with.

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M L

Nov 30

Critics are wrong yet again. It was beautiful and very interesting. Too bad so many couldn't pay attention long enough.

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Arthur M

Nov 22

This movie was really great! The designs and story was great! And I definitely agree that this movie won two Oscars! This story is a realistic fiction about women's life as a geisha. However, there was only ONE scene in which was confusing, from the main character cutting herself, and the movie not explaining why. Other than that, TOTALLY WORTH A WATCH!!!!!!

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Ion T

Nov 16

I would give this movie a 8.6/10. The scenes displayed Japan’s beautiful landscape and integrated the music to bring out the emotional impact. The main character spoke with a well-crafted dialogue showing her intelligence. The antagonist (Hatsumomo) was quite a bully, she felt threatened by Chiyo’s water eyes. Chiyo’s arc really started from the bottom and rose to the top with years of pain and grit. Overall, I liked the movie and would recommend watching it. SPOILER ALERT: This movie does not get a 10 because there were some things missing. What was the connection between Chiyo’s father and the Okiya? What happened to Chiyo’s sister? What happened to Hatsumomo after she had crashed out? Why did Nobu forgive Chiyo after the island? There were gaps in the movie.

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farris

Nov 15

despite the succulent scoring music and beauty shots, I don't feel really indulged to this when I'm watching it

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Rob Marshall

Director

Zhang Ziyi

Sayuri Nitta

Ken Watanabe

The Chairman

Michelle Yeoh

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Synopsis

In the 1920s, 9-year-old Chiyo gets sold to a geisha house. There, she is forced into servitude, receiving nothing in return until the house's ruling hierarchy determines if she is of high enough quality to service the clientele -- men who visit and pay for conversation, dance and song. After rigorous years of training, Chiyo becomes Sayuri, a geisha of incredible beauty and influence. Life is good for Sayuri, but World War II is about to disrupt the peace.

Director: Rob Marshall
Producer: Steven Spielberg, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher
Screenwriter: Robin Swicord
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual Content|Mature Subject Matter)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $57.0M
Runtime: 2h 35m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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