Starring Michelle Yeoh (Mameha), Gong Li (Hatsumomo), Zhang Ziyi (Sayuri), Ken Watanabe (The Chairman)

The movie, based on the best selling novel by Arthur Golden, was released in December 2005 to considerable Oscar buzz. When I saw this, I thought that it was a beautiful movie. The visuals are spectacular, choreography fantastic, the kimono beautiful. The acting was great as well, not only with Michelle - who played Mameha, the main character's sensei or teacher - but Koji Yakusho, Ken Watanabe, Kaori Momoi, Suzuka Ohgo and Gong Li. However, the film was followed by contraversy: first, the three main actresses playing the three main characters of Sayuri, Hatsumomo and Mameha, were all Chinese, not Japanese. They were played by Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li and Michelle. It was also filmed in English, not in Japanese, and some people said it did not represent the geisha culture accurately. Critics hit it hard. But personally, I enjoyed this movie. I had read the book and thought it handled many of the complexities brought up in the book. To me, the film was entertaining and Michelle was beautiful and wonderful. I can't say to accuracy, but if you watch the movie for acting and for content, you should be fine.

Grade: B+

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