Memoirs of a Geisha

[tenguzero]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051129/...film_geisha_dc

Every once in a while a film comes along that I really, really want to see. And this is one. I thought the book was an EXCELLENT read (I blew through the thing) and I'm a sucker for Japanese-themed movies (I saw The Last Samurai twice in the theater, and then went right out and bought it on DVD.) Even though I would have liked subtitles, I don't mind dealing with the requisite English dialogue, as it's something you generally expect when taking in a blockbuster Hollywood film. I think the critics, while obviously welcome to their opinions, should also realize it IS a Hollywood production, and take it in stride -- in particular those ones that get all up in arms and try and link it to the incidents that befell parts of China during Japanese occupation (say China, how's Tibet doing?...)

At any rate, I'm looking forward to it.

[Nicole8188]

I just saw the previews last night, and I really really really want to see it. It looks like it's going to be a good movie. As for the book, I haven't read it. Maybe I will before I go see it.

[pnoiSR20]

That Asian girl looks hot.

[Dustin_S]

I pity you.

The Geisha who's life provided the premise for the book was shunned by other geisha for breaking one of the cardinal rules of "geisha-dom" - She spoke about her life and times as a geisha. Big no-no. She originally wanted anonymity but the author revealed her name....lots of trouble.

Wikipedia has a lot about the book, the author, and the woman.

[tenguzero]

Most of us are well aware of the controversy surrounding the whole thing. That doesn't mean I'm not still looking forward to seeing the movie. The whole thing's controversial, really -- Japanese groups are up in arms, Chinese groups are up in arms, the subject of the book sued the author, etc. Regardless the movie is going to be a hit, just as the book was -- and I suggest that anyone who's looking to read a good story should pick it up. It's not like the cat isn't already out of the bag on the fiasco. Everything considered "pop" culture is usually followed close behind by trouble in some way. The Last Samurai, which is an excellent film, drew scathing critiques from more than it's share of nay-sayers: "facts" were twisted, a white guy at the head of a rebel samurai charge into the throes of the imperial army was a joke, and that the whole thing was generally pretty far away from the actual events it was based on (Saigo Takamori and his band of "the last samurai" who claimed devout loyalty to the emperor, and then made a final stand against imperialism roughly a decade or so after the restoration of power to the Emperor Meiji) but that doesn't mean it won't still be well received. If anything, controversy does MORE to further something (whether you consider that a bad or a good thing.)

Did Golden pull some underhanded stuff? Obviously the settlement acknowledged something. That doesn't mean I'm not going to go see the movie. Don't forget -- as Hollywoodized and over the top as some considered it to be, The Last Samurai actually made more money in Japan than it did in the U.S.

[CaptainBennett]

this is my gf's all time fav book, hopefully she can find someone else to see it with.

[Dustin_S]

actually, my "I pity you" was directed at the post directly above me. I should have quoted, I'm sorry. I was just upset because someone's motives for seeing a movie based on a very deep book like that was "that asian chick looks hot."

[eversio11]

Eh.. something about Chinese actors, speaking English, playing Japanese characters in a film written and directed by Americans.