Memoirs of a Geisha poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Koji Yakusho, Youki Kudoh ... see more see more... , Kaori Momoi , Tsai Chin , Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa , Suzuka Ohgo , Li Gong , Randall Duk Kim , Mako , Kenneth Tsang , Thomas Ikeda , Zoe Weizenbaum , Shizuko Hoshi , Yoki Kudo

This film, based on the novel by Arthur Golden, unfolds from the perspective of Chiyo (Zhang Ziyi), a girl who, at the age of nine, is sold to a geisha house in Kyoto in the early 1930s. Here, she lea... read more read more...rns that becoming a geisha can be the single path to wealth and independence for a woman. The head geisha of her house, however, Hatsumomo (Gong Li), is bitterly jealous of Chiyo and abuses her at every opportunity. Eventually Chiyo is taken under the wing of Hatsumomo's rival, Mameha (Michelle Yeoh), by far the most famous and successful geisha in their district. Under Mameha's tutelage, Chiyo becomes Sayuri, the most legendary geisha in the nation, skilled in all areas, from conversation to dance, and sought after by seemingly every man alive...except for the one whom she has secretly longed for since she began her training, The Chairman (Ken Watanabe) -- a man who showed her kindness at a time when her view of the world had turned the most bleak. Now as World War II approaches, Japan stands at the brink of a new era and Sayuri must confront the possibility that history will leave all that she has worked for behind. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

Flixster Users

82% liked it

440,831 ratings

Critics

35% liked it

158 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Rob Marshall

Release Date: December 16, 2005

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 28, 2006

Get It:

Stats: 28,962 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Memoirs of a Geisha Memoirs of a Geisha Memoirs of a Geisha Ziyi and Ken Love at last!!! Memoirs of a Geisha Saiyuri and the Chairman Saiyuri, Mameha, and Hatsumomo The evil witch, Hatsumomo Memoirs of a Gueisha Memoirs of a Gueisha Mameha Memoirs of a Geisha Zhang again Memoirs of a Geisha Ziyi Zhang ziyi Saiyuri
Upload a Photo | View All Memoirs of a Geisha Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (28,962)

  • fb223580
    January 19, 2012
    fb223580
    Gorgeous movie.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 14, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Having read the book, I found that the film version of Memoirs of a Geisha was a near flawless film with an incredible story. This film is the perfect example of a love story done right. I felt that the characters truly felt something for each other and the chemistry between Ken ... read moreWantanabe and Ziyi Zhang was believable. Unlike most romance films, you feel that emotions between the two characters are real and don't feel corny. Memoirs of a Geisha is a terrific, well acted film. Probably the only weak point of the film is the casting of two Chinese actresses in the role of the leads, Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang. I thought that this film should have had an all Japanese cast, but unfortunately, it didn't. Despite this small flaw, Memoirs of a Geisha is a stunning film that is beautifully acted, directed and told. Not only that, but the film looks stunning. A beautiful film that I believe is one of the best Romance films of the last ten years. This is better than most romance films in my opinion because I felt the characters in the film had genuine emotions going on. This is a near flawless picture that will stay with you long after you've seen it. Rob Marshall has crafted a beautiful film that has incredible performances and this is overall a solid piece of film.
  • garyX
    February 1, 2011
    garyX
    Memoirs Of A Geisha follows the life of a girl sold by her family from a poor fishing village into servitude in a geisha house. Looking like a who's who of all the usual Asian suspects (although a few more Japanese faces mightn't have gone amiss) this film is one of those visuall... read morey sumptuous period pieces that has "Oscar Nominated" written all over it. It plays out like a ritualization of sexual politics in which the feisty young heroine wins out in the game of social one-upmanship with her sluttier, bitchier rival to become the most envied and admired woman in town, all the while holding a torch for her one true love (who just happens to be dashingly handsome, wealthy, influential and unattainable too. Surprise surprise...) It's easy to be cynical at these kinds of thing, but the cast are impeccible and the costume design, sets and cinematography all splendid, but I couldn't help noting the irony of the post war section of the film in which Zhang is distraught at the sight of "her" culture becoming a homogenized post card to be sent back to the states. After all, isn't this film just a pseudo high brow extension of that very same process...? I must admit I did enjoy the peek behind the petticoats of homogenized Japanese culture, being as interested in it as the next western devil, and the combination of period detail and intellectualized soap opera is quite entertaining. I can't really take it seriously as a piece of art however, because it's really the visuals that make this film what it is; scrape away the elaborate make up and you have a generic female crowd pleaser (the learning-to-be-a-geisha montage in particular made "You're The Best" from The Karate Kid pop into my head) and it's really just Pretty Woman for Guardian readers.
  • ScoopOnline
    January 27, 2011
    ScoopOnline
    Ziya Zhang is very talented Actress. I have seen many of her Asian Movies before Steven Spielberg discovered her. Who ever thought?

    Memoirs of Geisha moved me alot.

    You cannot say to the sun, "More sun." Or to the rain, "Less rain."


    Water is powerful. It can wash away ear    ... read moreth, put out fire, and even destroy iron


    What better advise to follow than your own.
  • Tomassgringo
    September 4, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    Nice story that takes a lot of time to tell. I had to watch with subtitles even thought they spoke English, it was still difficult to understand. Educational about what a Geisha's life would be like, but still a good bit of mystery.
  • 3niR
    June 22, 2010
    3niR
    Never knew what Geisha was. This was okay.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    May 23, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    I must say I think it was a very faithful adaptation to the book. Perhaps because of that reading, I did not find as dull as other reviewers on here. Visually, it was very pretty, but this story is about social class, structure with a lite touch on love. It's about a geisha, not ... read morea girlfriend. I liked it a lot, but that was me. I found all the actors to be fantastic and very bit of it captivating.
  • SirPant
    October 1, 2009
    SirPant
    I feel lazy for not reading the book first. I really did enjoy this film but I do wish it had been a Japanese production. It was a bit too westernised for my liking. That said, the cinematography and the acting are fantastic!
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    October 6, 2008
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    The experience of watching this film is mesmerizing. Not only is it beautiful, but the acting is terrific all around. I didn't want it to end. Can't wait to see it again to soak in the atmosphere and story more deeply. The use of color alone is worth studying closely. Later revel... read moreations paint certain characters in whole new lights, so I look forward to watching those performances again more omnisciently, to see nuances I'd missed.
  • 76Majikat
    March 21, 2008
    76Majikat
    The film occasionally captures some amazing views, this slow movie epic is revealing and intriguing.
    Definitely worth a watch for the theme of the film.

View All Memoirs of a Geisha Reviews

Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris
January 18, 2006
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

The subject remained interesting enough to this provincial American to accept and ultimately enjoy the film's well-worn romanticism, even with its resignedly tired happy ending.

Stephen Hunter
December 27, 2005
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

Memoirs of a Geisha is everything you'd expect it to be: beautiful, mesmerizing, tasteful, Japanese. It's just not very hot. Full Review

Roger Moore
December 27, 2005
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

... a fascinating glimpse at a lost world of women with skin of porcelain and spines of steel, and the men in their thrall. Full Review

Amy Biancolli
December 27, 2005
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

It is a lush, blushingly romantic portrait of Asian culture as seen through a Western lens. Full Review

Tom Long
December 27, 2005
Tom Long, Detroit News

The performances are good, the visuals are lush, the span is epic, but the film simply never soars. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
December 27, 2005
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

... good-looking but not quite memorable ... Full Review

Robert Denerstein
December 27, 2005
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Memoirs of a Geisha, the big-screen adaptation of Arthur Golden's best-selling novel, has a lesson to teach: Designing a movie isn't the same as directing one.

Terry Lawson
December 27, 2005
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

This is a lavishly detailed memoir in which little turns out to be that memorable. Full Review

Bill Muller
December 22, 2005
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

For a while, you're waiting for Memoirs of a Geisha to start. Then you can't wait for it to end. Full Review

Colin Covert
December 22, 2005
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Shot for shot, Memoirs of a Geisha is one of the most beautiful movies in years, with due credit to Don Beebe's widescreen camera work, John Myhre's meticulous production design and Colleen Atwood's o... Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Last Samurai
    The Last Samurai (74%)
  • Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Wo hu cang long)
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Wo hu cang lo... (74%)
  • Girl With a Pearl Earring
    Girl With a Pearl Earring (63%)
  • La Vie en Rose (La Mome)
    La Vie en Rose (La Mome) (75%)

More Movies like Memoirs of a Geisha

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Sayuri: Can't you see? Every step I have taken... since I was that little girl on the bridge... was to bring myself closer to you.
    • Sayuri: No geisha could never hope for more.
    • Sayuri: How could you?! You don't know what you have done!
    • Pumpkin: But I do.
    • Sayuri: I do not understand. Why did you have to bring the chairman?
    • Pumpkin: Because I know how you feel about him. A long time ago, you took something from me. The only thing I ever truly wanted. Well, now you know how it feels.
    • Hatsumomo: My dear okasan. We will see, won't we?
    • Mother: I'm entitled to do as I choose.
    • Hatsumomo: But you promised the okiya to Pumpkin!
    • Mother: Look at her, still a virgin maiko. [Pumpkin gets up and runs off]
    • Hatsumomo: Pumpkin! [Hatsumomo tries unsuccessfully to pull her back]
    • Sayuri: Can't you adopt us both?
    • Mother: Quiet Sayuri. Now I'm no fool. Pumpkin would only be Hatsumomo's puppet. How long will it take before you kick us out on the street.
    • Hatsumomo: I have given you my life.
    • Mother: Yes your impudence, your foul temper.
    • Hatsumomo: Who paid for the silk on your back. The rice in your bowl. The tobacco in that pipe of your!? WHO?!
    • Mother: Don't exaggerate! You have not even had a danna.
    • Sayuri: This is how it was in this tiny world of women. Friend turned against friend. And now the two greatest geisha in Miyako at war over me. Hatsumomo at my back, Mameha calling, offering me the chance to be one of those elegant women I'd seen on the bridge, floating in the silk kimono, the chairman at my side.
Submit a Fact | View All

Memoirs of a Geis... : Watch Free on TV

Memoirs of a Geisha Trivia

  • From what movie is this particular line uttered: "I want a life that is mine!"  Answer »
  • In this movie, there is a girl named Sayuri Nitta. What is this movie?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Ziyi Zhang earn the affections of men by 'stopping them in their tracks with a single look'?  Answer »
  • In "Memoirs of a geisha" what was Chiyo's name changed to when she became an apprentice geisha?  Answer »
More Memoirs of a Geisha Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Memoirs of a Geisha Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Memoirs of a Geisha to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

shogunk1 Skin by shogunk1
624 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins