First of all, let me just state that in my opinion, no movie version can EVER top the book. That being said, I think the movie version of Memoirs of a Geisha is a good enough, entertaining film if you're willing to forgive a few flaws.

I have not finished reading the book, I am ashamed to say. So whatever I come up with here is a product of watching the movie.

I already like the story. There's something mystifying about a geisha. As a child I thought the makeup scary-- like a clown with pretty red lips. As a teenager, I thought it exquisite, precise. But the only thing I really know about geisha is the makeup, nothing more. To actually learn of what they do and their purpose in life is really interesting. This here says so much of what these women do. What I learned in 2 and a half hours beats me poring over books just trying to understand the life and times of a geisha.

Because the movie was mainly shot in a makeshift set in Los Angeles, there wasn't much the cinematographer could do-- nor could you. Mind you, the set was not displeasing. It just gives you a limited vision of an already limited world. However, if you focused on the story, you wouldn't even mind the weak spot in the mise-en-scene.

I have never been a fan of Michelle Yeoh's but in Memoirs, she's definitely a scene stealer. She portrayed a mature, elegant and sophisticated geisha in Mameha. You can really see the former Miss Malaysia in her. You'll be surprised how I also find Nobu's (Koji Yakusho) performance striking. He's got the right blend of stern, stiff shrew of a guy with a pious heart. Ken Watanabe (Chairman) makes for the stark contrast to Nobu. Kind, sweet and the eyes say it all. Ziyi Zhang gives a fair performance as Sayuri, though not my favorite. I was kind of bothered by her Chinese accent in Japanese but American-made movie. But she's alright. And please don't expect her eyes to be as blue as the ones in the poster. It's supposed to be gray but I guess the Photoshop editors thought it looks better if she had blue eyes.

I do not understand the fuss the Japanese actors made about casting other Asian actors in this movie. This is Hollywood, equal opportunity, my friends. If it were made in Japan they can say that, but in Hollywood, star quality counts. Of course, the Chinese accent bothered me admittedly but hey, Ziyi makes for a good Geisha. At least, the American producers did not dare cast white actors as geisha. That would have been truly out of sync.

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