Memoirs of a Geisha

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Memoirs of a Geisha

PG-13

Released Dec 23, 2005

2h 16m

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 (Suzuka Ohgo) 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 (Ziyi Zhang), 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

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

Rated: 2/4

Jan 10, 2019

Full Review

Zadie Smith

Daily Telegraph (UK)

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.

Jan 16, 2018

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David Ansen

Newsweek

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

Mar 31, 2008

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Arnold Wayne Jones

Texas Triangle/TXT

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

Rated: 3/4

May 7, 2023

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Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

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.

Jan 30, 2020

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Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

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

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 5, 2019

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Daniel P

Memoirs of a geisha is one of those movies that leaves a lasting impression on you. Its narrative is impeccable, and the story, though predictable, is poetic. The soundtrack —by the magnificent John Williams— is brilliant.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/11/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Benjamin W

This movie had some very disturbing scenes that involved mistreatment, harassment, etc.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

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Geoff R

Intriguing story line with occasionally stunningly beautiful scenes - spectacular dance performance that alone justifies watching this movie. Excellent performances. Held my attention throughout.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

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Igor S

One of the most beautiful movies i have ever seen in my life. I cannot believe it took 20 years to finally see this, even tho i always suspected i would love it, due to having seen the cinematography and having heard the soundtrack. If you are a lover of cinema, this is a must see. It's on par with any other great movie in the history of cinema.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

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Audience Member

Can we all agree on that this movie is a masterpiece! This may even be the best movie of the year 2005!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

Full Review

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Rob Marshall

Director

Zhang Ziyi

Sayuri Nitta

Ken Watanabe

The Chairman

Michelle Yeoh

Mameha

Kôji Yakusho

Nobu

Yûki Kudô

Pumpkin

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Synopsis

In the 1920s, 9-year-old Chiyo (Suzuka Ohgo) 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 (Ziyi Zhang), 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 16m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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