❝We must not expect happiness, Sayuri. It is not something we deserve. When life goes well, it is a sudden gift; it cannot last forever.❞
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰
An amazing film, one of my favourites of all time. I rewatched it and looked up the reviews out of curiosity, and was shocked to see so many negative ones from critics. After reading them, though, it was clear they didn't understand the film. One of the key messages is that geisha are NOT 'sex slaves', and yet so many critics failed to pick up on it and hence saw the film as some sort of glorification of prostitution (which it isn't).
Firstly, I know that the book is very problematic and historically inaccurate, but just judging from an adaptation perspective, the film did well. Of course there were important moments in the book which I think the film missed out on, like the majority of Sayuri's childhood (the absence of which made the beginning of the film a bit disjointed) and Sayuri getting her portrait painted. However I think overall it was faithful to the original material and flowed nicely, without the pace dragging at any point.
Zhang Ziyi was great as Sayuri, and portrayed her resolute and determined character very well. Michelle Yeoh was gorgeous as the graceful and intelligent Mameha, and was one of my favourite characters. I think the child actress who was young Chiyo did a fantastic job too, and she was adorable. However, Gong Li stole the show in every scene she was in. She was the perfect Hatsumomo, a cold and calculating villain with a cruel beauty. I hated Hatsumomo, and yet couldn't help but pity her situation as well.
Ken Watanabe and Koji Yakusho were excellent as the Chairman and Nobu respectively, and the rest of the cast were very good too.
The cinematography was absolutely beautiful; I think this is one of the most stunning films ever produced. Every scene's colour palette matched perfectly to the action and the character's emotions; the settings didn't overshadow the actors, and instead accentuated their loveliness.
I loved the music in the film too; John Williams never misses, and the score was elegant and powerful.
I always come back to watch this film regularly and every time it's incredible. This story of misrepresented but strong and brilliant women carving their paths is highly recommended.
❝We must not expect happiness, Sayuri. It is not something we deserve. When life goes well, it is a sudden gift; it cannot last forever.❞
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰
An amazing film, one of my favourites of all time. I rewatched it and looked up the reviews out of curiosity, and was shocked to see so many negative ones from critics. After reading them, though, it was clear they didn't understand the film. One of the key messages is that geisha are NOT 'sex slaves', and yet so many critics failed to pick up on it and hence saw the film as some sort of glorification of prostitution (which it isn't).
Firstly, I know that the book is very problematic and historically inaccurate, but just judging from an adaptation perspective, the film did well. Of course there were important moments in the book which I think the film missed out on, like the majority of Sayuri's childhood (the absence of which made the beginning of the film a bit disjointed) and Sayuri getting her portrait painted. However I think overall it was faithful to the original material and flowed nicely, without the pace dragging at any point.
Zhang Ziyi was great as Sayuri, and portrayed her resolute and determined character very well. Michelle Yeoh was gorgeous as the graceful and intelligent Mameha, and was one of my favourite characters. I think the child actress who was young Chiyo did a fantastic job too, and she was adorable. However, Gong Li stole the show in every scene she was in. She was the perfect Hatsumomo, a cold and calculating villain with a cruel beauty. I hated Hatsumomo, and yet couldn't help but pity her situation as well.
Ken Watanabe and Koji Yakusho were excellent as the Chairman and Nobu respectively, and the rest of the cast were very good too.
The cinematography was absolutely beautiful; I think this is one of the most stunning films ever produced. Every scene's colour palette matched perfectly to the action and the character's emotions; the settings didn't overshadow the actors, and instead accentuated their loveliness.
I loved the music in the film too; John Williams never misses, and the score was elegant and powerful.
I always come back to watch this film regularly and every time it's incredible. This story of misrepresented but strong and brilliant women carving their paths is highly recommended.
