Memoirs of a geisha

[Random One]

Watched this last night, thought it was excellent. The acting was good and never felt bored during it(which i was expecting to be). It is a bit long but definitely worth sitting through imo although i don't think i wouldve enjoyed it as much in the cinema (saw it on DVD) as it is a bit slow paced.

I haven't read the book so not sure if the film adaptation is true to it or not.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

I did really enjoy the book though I've got no pretentions of it being a fantastic work of literature - the subject material is fascinating and it was an enjoyable read, that that was enough for me. I'm pretty much expecting the same from the film. Also, because of that (and the fact I can't really remember much of the book either) I don't think I'll be too upset if it's not a perfect adaptation.

Didn't Madonna try and get in this at some point?

 

[Random One]

Didn't Madonna try and get in this at some point?

SCARY! who the hell would she have been in it?

 

[Agent Sparrow]

SCARY! who the hell would she have been in it?

Well exactly!

If memory serves me right I think she was going for one of the larger roles as well...

Mind you, as the case is Chinese rather than Japanese perhaps it wouldn't have made too much difference...

 

[walktome]

I liked the film, especially the cinematography, however I haven't read the book so I have no clue how faithful it is. That's too bad that they used Chinese actors instead of Japanese ones, I didn't know that.

 

[misskitten]

Mineko Iwasaki has a book of her own memoirs, which I think I might get.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/074343059X/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2_cp/202-8971318-2795812

Yeah I have this, I enjoyed reading it and thought it was really interesting, especially as I was disappointed when i realised memoirs wasn't 'real' (i know im dumb, i only worked it out at the end!).

Im curious about the film, tho not expecting to love it as books made into films are usually so disappointing. Captain Correlli for example, what a crime!!!

 

[oi2002]

I liked the film, especially the cinematography, however I haven't read the book so I have no clue how faithful it is. That's too bad that they used Chinese actors instead of Japanese ones, I didn't know that.

Obvious reason for using Chinese actors. Zhang Ziyi.

Makes Nicole Kidman look frumpy.

 

[Reno]

Obvious reason for using Chinese actors. Zhang Ziyi.

Makes Nicole Kidman look frumpy.

Yes, she's gorgeous but to anybody with a knowledge of Asian cinema it's obvious that there are plenty of gorgeous and talented Japanese actresses who could have played the part just as well, if not better. The main reason for Zhang Ziyi's (and Michelle Yeoh's and Gong Li's) casting in Memoirs of a Geisha is that she's one of the few Asian stars who would be recognisable to a Western audience.

 

[gaijingirl]

Just been to see this today. I read the book whilst I was living in Japan and enjoyed it. The film was ok, but forgettable tbh. I was frustrated at the actresses speaking with a Chinese (rather than Japanese accent) and I didn't recognise too much Japanese about it - it seemed very very watered down. I read that Liza Dalby who was the only Western woman to work as a geisha, worked as a consultant to the directors... and I'm surprised... it seems to me what people imagine Japan to be like rather than what I feel it is like...

Mind you it is a very pretty film..

too long though...

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Why the fuck did they use a chinese cast
D

It's an American film written by an American for the Americans. The cast has to be people that can bankroll the film Hollywood style, sadly that means we get the cast we do.

Chinese films do this all the time and often have popular Japanese actors taking parts so that they can later sell the film to them.

Zang tumb thumb or whatever her name is a major star and bankrolled a few big Korean films as well (such as the excellent 'warrior'), and the main bloke in house if flying daggers is Japanese, there is quite a lot of asian mixing around in films (though I do think it looks a bit wierd as they do look different).

I personally would like to see Japanese actors do the parts but I am not really interested in the film and Mrs Suplex and all her other Japanese friends couldn't care less, as with all other such issues like this like the racism in lost in translation or the shortening of Japanese to Jap.


Seen some clips and yes the chinese accents are a bit annoying as it's such a compleatly different language (apart from the kanji) to Japanese.

 

[Leon]

Saw this film last night with the girlf.

I haven't read the book and to be honest I thought it'd be crap. But I quite enjoyed it. It wasn't great but it was worth watching, if far too long.

There's not really much more to say about it really. It looked good. The acting was good, everything about it was good but not at all amazing.

Go and see it if you're going to the cinema but don't be too disappointed if you don't.

As for the whole Chinese thing, you can just imagine some Hollywood casting scout thinking, "Mmm, they've got slinty eyes - hire them! No-one'll notice because they all look the same."

Well, well dodgy.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

As for the whole Chinese thing, you can just imagine some Hollywood casting scout thinking, "Mmm, they've got slinty eyes - hire them! No-one'll notice because they all look the same."

.

I bet they did as well.

 

[veracity]

Went to see this last night. It's a very aesthetically pleasing film but with little real substance IMO. As others have said, |I think the casting of Chinese actors is a little problematic - surely they could have found Japanese actors for authenticity.

It's a long time since I read the book but the film seemed to differ quite a lot (unless my memory's even more shot than I thought).

Although I found the story pretty grim and depressing, I didn't notice how long the film was until I got out of the cinema so must have something going for it.

Interestingly the film was sold out last night so the auditorium was full - as I looked around I could spot only 2 or 3 men!

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

I could spot only 2 or 3 men!

No shit.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

hollywood proudly supporting 50 years of not havin any actual japanese in their films

i always thouht all that "i tie your shoe" stuff was an urban myth till i caught them doing it in a film