One of the movies I got to see in Paris was Memoirs Of A Geisha, a movie I’ve been wanting to see ever since its release and even more after reading the book.
Anyway, even though the movie was a good one, I was a bit dissapointed. Maybe the book is just too good for its magic to be caught on film. I don’t know, but it just didn’t match the way I saw it all in my head while reading the book.
One thing I’m sure of though is that the movie didn’t develop the characters well enough, only giving quick insufficient hints. Ok, I know they can’t get into as much detail as the book, but I think there’s a bare minimum that they didn’t reach.
I also felt that some points were skipped, changed or not given enough importance, minimizing their effect and weakening the story a bit.
Still the acting, cinematography, photography and soundtrack were beautiful, and I truly enjoyed them.
I still would recommend seeing this movie, but I recommend reading the book even more.
Overall I’d give this movie a 6.5/10, although I gave the book a 9.5/10.
You say: “… a bit dissapointed. Maybe the book is just too good for its magic to be caught on film. I don’t know, but it just didn’t match the way I saw it all in my head while reading the book.”
That seems to me to be the basis of many of the complaints people make about movies, seen after the book is read. Everyone sees it in their heads differently. Most important, the person who directs the making of the film version sees it differently, and his vision is what you wind up seeing on the screen.
These are really two separate stories – closely related but different. If you think of the movie as a different story – the Director’s vision – then judge the movie on its own merits. Comparisons lead to dissapointment.
hale
BlogginTheMaghreb
Yeah I guess so, plus the creativity and magic that the human brain can create while directing the story in their imagination can hardly be captured on film.
Still, I’ve read other books that were more successfully brought to cinema, and some that even seemed a bit cooler on film.
Anyway, I do agree that a person should try to disassociate the movie from the book and try to enjoy the movie for what it is.
I read this book years ago and I too was a bit disappointed with the film. I guess the whole thing felt rushed to me, given that the story took place over so many years. The scenery and costumes were fantastic though and I was pleased with the performances. Just wanted more time for character development, I guess.