MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

Review: Before World War II a Japanese child, Nitta Sayuri opens up about how she changed her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan’s most famous geisha. Nitta is also haunted by her secret love for a man who is out of her reach.
Director: Rob Marshall
Actors: Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Suzuka Ohgo, Togo Igawa, Mako, Samantha Futerman, Elizabeth Sung, Li Gong, Tsai Chin, Kaori Momoi, Zoe Weizenbaum, Karl Yune and Eugenia Yuan
Year: 2005
Genre: Drama and Romance
Conclusion: 4/5
From the same director who directed the amazing Chicago (2002). Apparently Stephen Spielberg was originally down to direct this but decided to stay on to produce it. If I had to chose between Chicago (2002) and this film I would rather watch Memoirs of a Geisha any day. I do think it is a much better film. This film is based on a historical fiction novel by American author Arthur Golden, published in 1997. Fantastic performances by all the cast. Both Ziyi Zhang and Michelle Yeah previously collaborated on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). Thought the musical score was very well done. Apparently John Williams passed on scoring the fourth Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) in favour of doing this film. This is the first film in John Williams’ career for which he asked to compose the music. At the Academy Awards in 2006 this won three Oscars. They were for Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Art Direction and Best Achievement in Costume Design. At the Golden Globe Awards in 2006 this won for Best Original Score – Motion Picture (John Williams). At the Bafta Awards in 2006, John Williams won the Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music. It also won two more Bafta’s for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design.