Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Introduction
Memoirs of a Geisha is a 2005 American drama film that investigates the life and struggle of a geisha, Sayuri. The protagonist is sold to a geisha house at a young age due to her impoverished family. After the short encounter with her secret love, the Chairman, Sayuri is greatly encouraged and becomes determined for her new life in the geisha house. Later, Sayuri's beauty attracts the vicious jealousy of Hatsumomo, who sets the geisha house on fire in order to murder Suyuri. Sayuri is rescued by and taken under the wing of Hatsumomo's rival, the sweet and generous Mameha. All three geishas are played by the top best Chinese actresses. After Sayuri becomes the best-known geisha of her age, WWII strikes Japan and the world of geisha is forever changed.
Trailer
Comment
Memoirs of a Geisha is a melodrama that contains a Cinderella cliché and a highly romanticized portrayal of reality. Sayuri is portrayed as the innocent Cinderella who is enslaved as a young age. The film is a typical Hollywood melodrama that favors the emotional and dramatic aspect instead of the authentic investigation of the geisha world. Specifically, Hatsumomo and Memaha are two archetypical roles, a rival and a mentor, that effectively decide the ups and downs of Suyuri's quest. A clear conflict between the good and the evil is presented in the female rivalry based on jealousy. In addition, the love triangle between Sayuri, Nobu, and the Chairman exemplifies a stereotypical love relationship in melodramas. Moreover, the effect of war serves as a unpreventable social force that drastically changes the course of Suyuri's life, establishing the central conflict of the latter part of the film.
The main lines of tension eventually emerge between Sayuri, Nobu, and the Chairman. The triangle relationship generates relational conflict, which also mirror the internal conflicts of each of the characters.
Nobu is a businessman who is eager to re-establish his business empire after the war. He loves Sayuri but she remains of secondary concern to him. Sayuri to him functions more as a tool than a person. From Sayuri's point of view, Nobu's attention toward her creates a significant inner conflict. She sees his motivation as a factor that conflicts with the comfort and stability he provides for her after the war. The complicated nature causes the inner conflict of Sayuri regarding Nobu. But it greatly evokes Sayuri's desire to be independent and liberated.
The Chairman, on the other hand, creates the inner conflicts when he feels the sense of indebtedness toward Nobu, who saves the Chairman's life from an explosion. He sacrifices his own feelings towards Sayuri in deference to his obligation toward Nobu, essentially generating more pain and conflict to Sayuri.
The main lines of tension eventually emerge between Sayuri, Nobu, and the Chairman. The triangle relationship generates relational conflict, which also mirror the internal conflicts of each of the characters.
Nobu is a businessman who is eager to re-establish his business empire after the war. He loves Sayuri but she remains of secondary concern to him. Sayuri to him functions more as a tool than a person. From Sayuri's point of view, Nobu's attention toward her creates a significant inner conflict. She sees his motivation as a factor that conflicts with the comfort and stability he provides for her after the war. The complicated nature causes the inner conflict of Sayuri regarding Nobu. But it greatly evokes Sayuri's desire to be independent and liberated.
The Chairman, on the other hand, creates the inner conflicts when he feels the sense of indebtedness toward Nobu, who saves the Chairman's life from an explosion. He sacrifices his own feelings towards Sayuri in deference to his obligation toward Nobu, essentially generating more pain and conflict to Sayuri.
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