Thursday, June 7, 2007

Movie Night


Need a movie for a rainy afternoon? We watched Memoirs Of A Geisha last night and highly recommend it. The story begins in rural Japan around 1935 and follows a young girl who is sold to a house that trains geisha. As you can imagine, this brings opportunities for some beautiful photography. There is a theme of water that runs through the movie with serene results.


The characters in Memoirs are well developed and we see their transformations caused by WWII. The traditional way of life in Japan is drastically changed during and immediately after the war and the effect of the American GIs on the culture is explored. The role and perception of the Geisha is forever redefined by events beyond their control.


Memoirs Of A Geisha is the whole package: exquisite costumes, fine photography, just the right music (John Williams), and a great story. It gives you the feeling you've just read a wonderful book. This is one of those movies I'll watch over and over again.


I won't give away the ending except to say it is satisfying. The best endorsement I can give is that as soon as the movie was over I thought, "I'm going to buy this DVD." Memoirs is rated pg13 and has some sexual content. It is definitely an adult movie but not at all offensive. This is a good movie to watch while curled up on the sofa with a comfy blanket and a warm cup of tea.

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