DVD | Memoirs Of A Geisha

Rating: M - Contains Sexual References.
Duration: 145 mins.
Genre: Drama.
Actors: Toby Stephens, Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Ameesha Patel, Kiron Kher.
Release Date: Available Now.

Based on Arthur Golden's novel of the same name, Memoirs is set in 1929 Japan, and follows the plight of Chiyo, who is sold to a Kyoto geisha house at the tender age of nine, by her poverty striken parents.

Her life is harsh and unforgiving, as she is seen as a threat by the head geisha Hatsumomo, who can see the potential in her.

More than one person however sees potential in her, and so the story is set, full of mystery, cunning and back stabbing, Memoirs is far from the dull sound movie that it’s name portrays. Having only a full screen (in other words, half the picture has been cut off to fit my TV screen!) screener to watch it’s difficult to see the whole beauty of this movie, but it is one that I can imagine would take your breath away visually.

Memoirs uncovers an interesting and dynamic world of Japanese society, but the storyline is also one that is unnervingly sadistic in a subtle way. The life of a child sold into a geisha house has two main outcomes, if she makes the cut, she becomes a geisha, is she doesn’t make the cut, she gets sent down the road to the red light district. But look closer and you’ll see that the only difference is a societal (and monetary) one. Geisha’s are nothing more that high-class call girls, that offer their virginity to the highest bidder, they ply their company to a select group of people who can afford there up keep.

And then there’s the love story. Early on in the movie, when she is without hope, Chiyo happens to meet a kind industrialist, who having been reminded of his daughter of the same age, offers to buy Chiyo a snow cone, showing Chiyo that there is hope in the world and leaving a lasting impression. Over the years she remembers this kind man and falls in love with the idea of him, finally (and this could spoil it for you) she manages to be with his, and becomes his geisha. Now maybe it’s only me, but this is a love story where a married man falls in love (and the love is mutual) with a girl the same age as his daughter, so makes her is highly paid call girl?

Modern love huh!

Food for thought:
How far into poverty would you have to be to consider selling your children?