I mostly agree with this Gibbs review. You echoed a lot of what I felt about the movie. I also really enjoyed this movie. However, I disagree with you when you say it was not moving and that the ending was a weakness. In your review you said:
In the absence of true happiness, they content themselves with aspiring to an illusion. While this ultimately feels true to the lives and experiences of the characters, it leaves the viewer with a questionable sense of satisfaction. In the end, Marshall makes the right choice in not trying to overplay a false sense of happiness in a story that is more pathetic than moving. From Sayuri's point of view, it has a happy ending, but it is simply the fulfillmen of the desperate dream of a young girl who has never really had the chance to know her true self, or to really live. This enigmatic quality will leave viewers unsure what to think of Memoirs of a Geisha, and manages to be a strength and a weakness at the same time.
I guess this is where I disagree. I feel the ending was a strength, not a weakness--anything else would have been unfaithful to the story. I can't imagine it ending another way--at least a happier way. And personally I was very moved by the movie as a whole.
***some spoilers about the ending ahead***
The ending does leave you feeling sad and slightly empty. I think, though, this is exactly how you are meant to feel. Sayuri/Chiyo got what she always wanted--to be the geisha of the Chairman. Unfortunately, her "dream" was in actuality only a pale reflection of true happiness. However, it was all that she could hope for as a geisha--a girl sold into slavery. There was a part of me that really wanted the Hollywood, Cinderella-type ending, where the Chairman said, "I don't only want you to be my geisha, I want you to be my wife." I was hoping that values and society had changed enough after the war to allow for this. But I don't think they had. Also, I'm not sure if the Chairman was married--it was never mentioned or shown, but I assume he was involved in an arranged marriage like all prominent Japanese men--so it seems likely he was. Which then makes me think, "Oh, his poor wife!" It seems like a sad situation for all. I'm not an advocate for divorce by any means, but it seems that the geisha system coupled with arranged marriages was encouraging all sorts of emotions that could only satisfy all involved on the surface level while keeping all three--the true wife, the wealthy man, and the geisha--from attaining true love and a fulfilling relationship. Which is what makes the story so tragic.
***end of spoilers***
I loved this movie. I don't regret seeing it at all. I was fascinated by the glimpse into another culture's way of thinking and extremely moved by the tragedy. And, if that wasn't enough, I felt the cinematography and acting was superb as well. Like the Gibbs brothers said, watching this film was like sheer poetry. So I would recommend it--and already have to several people.
However, it's not everyone's cup of tea. As my female friend and I walked out behind a teenage couple, we heard the boy remark, "Man, there wasn't any kung fu in that movie."
Sorry guys. This isn't Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But I think *gasp* I may have liked it better.
