Memoirs of a Geisha

Finally I managed to watch Memoirs of a Geisha with　おに　at cineleisure. I've waited for so long to watch this movie. It's quite good though Zhang Ziyi is not as pretty as I expected compared to that in the House of Flying Daggers. She doesn't look like elegant geisha as 　小百合　＠　さゆり　(Sayuri). Even Gong Li is prettier and sexier than her. Michelle Yeoh is quite old and I can't imagine how guys can't help having a glance at her when she passes by. But, she's a very nice Geisha with her demure and elegance whereas Gong Li is very sexy.

It's a nice story of how a little girl transformed herself from a chamber maid into a geisha for the sake of an old guy. It'd be more touchy if the director can show more about how Sayori suffered or tried hard to get to know the chairman (Ken Watanabe) as well as more scenes on how he felt when he knew Nobu who saved his life had feelings towards her. But, I found it a bit weird. How can a 9 or 10 years old girl have a true love to this over 40 years old guy?

My impression on Geisha became a bit blur after this show. Before that I know Geisha are not prostitutes but selling their arts only. But then why is that bidding thingy? Can someone enlighten me why the apprentice Geisha become a real Geisha only after Mizuage (bidding for her virginity) though the movie says Geisha are not prostitutes? And, what is Danna? Is it Half-wife? And, what is half-wife?

Which one is prettier?

1) House of Flying Daggers or 2) Memoirs of a Geisha (Sayuri & Chairman)


Some more pics from Geisha



1) Sayuri's first exprience 2) So-called amazing performance by the apprentice, Sayuri

1) Chiyo(Lil Sayuri & Hatsumomo @ Gong Li) 2) Mameha @ Michelle Yeoh



Hatsumomo



1) Sayuri, Mameha, Hatsumomo 2) Innocent but not elegant Sayuri