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Memoirs of a Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha Image
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Metascore
54 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 128 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Set in a mysterious and exotic world which still casts a potent spell today, the story begins in the years before World War II, when a Japanese child is torn from her penniless family to work as a servant in a geisha house. Despite a treacherous rival who nearly breaks her spirit, the girl blossoms into the legendary geisha Saguri. Beautiful and accomplished, Saguri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man beyond her reach. (Sony Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 38
  3. Negative: 3 out of 38
  1. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    83
    The story is so compelling and the movie is such a pleasure to the eyes and ears.
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Angie Errigo
    60
    A beautiful, exotic and well-acted cultural hybrid, but it's never as moving as it ought to be.
  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Dennis Lim
    30
    Swaddled in the posh vulgarity that passes for awards-season elegance, Memoirs is deluxe orientalist kitsch, a would-be cross between "Showgirls" and "Raise the Red Lantern," too dumb to cause offense though falling short of the oblivious abandon that could have vaulted it into high camp.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 86
  3. Negative: 19 out of 86
  1. NedRyerson1
    9
    Memoirs of a Geisha is a special movie because of two things, first is not a stereotype love story, and it shows very accurately a piece of Japanese culture. Starting by the love story, here we see an orphan girl taken against her will to an okiya in order to become a geisha, looking for something that she cannot have, true love. In this point is where this sentimental story stands apart from the rest. When talking about a geisha, we refer to a person with the purpose of entertaining a man, but without falling in love. The illustration of the Japanese culture in this film is also significant, some concepts that demonstrate it are: first, the ability and capacity of improving life are determinate by the year of birth and the element that rules a person. Then we have the idea of making everything a ritual, putting aside the routine. Finally, the special meaning that gives the Japanese nation to the geishas; who are known as artist not prostitutes, and selling their skills not their body. This idea evolved with the years, until the war starts; with the arrival of the American troops the materialism is unleashed and the ancient culture is corrupted. With strong performances by Zhang Ziyi (highlighting the scene of the presentation as a geisha), Ken Watanabe, Koji Yakusho and Gong Li, this film treats a beautiful and mysterious subject, accompanied by an amazing screenplay and overwhelming music. It is unbelievable that a Hollywood production could capture a bit of the oriental culture.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. mumbo
    5
    ziyi zhang is a mediocre actress at best and is not respected at all in china, unlike gong li who is. Ziyi zhang is only famous for her looks (which arent that fantastic either)… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. TyroneMovieman
    3
    The film is well acted, over-dramatic, and is a visual masterpiece. But the Hollywood soap opera based on a Japanese story overrun with a badly spoken English screenplay using Chinese actors is unavoidably silly. The film disserves to be honored for its superb visual costumes, make-up and design, but unfortunately that is it.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes

See all 86 User Reviews

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