a tale of two stories

Oh, a lovely movie day. I had the pleasure of my friend, Ganesh's company in watching Memoirs of a Geisha. Having barely finished the last few pages of the book just this morning, I was eager to watch it on the big screen. Since the reviews of the movie weren't so great, I was prepared to not have high hopes of a great production, despite the many known actors who are in it.

After 2 hours in the dark hall, I must say that the movie compressed the entire tale in a neat little package. A little too neatly, perhaps. Every detail that was important in weaving the story into that package had been compressed and rushed, such as Sayuri's long journey in becoming a geisha. What took her years to achieve, was cut short and translated into a matter of months instead. Having said that, one who hasn't read the book might still enjoy this abbreviated version - sort of like Cliff's Notes, which still showed the essence of the story, and that is (being the foolish romantic in me that surfaces ever so slightly in moments like these), love is a long journey in itself, and prevails through hardships. Ok, so maybe that's not quite the true essence, but indulge me by agreeing that it is.

What I really liked about the movie was not so much the story in itself - the book was a much better read and well paced - but in showing the hues of life in old Kyoto during the Depression. Marvellous cinematography. Breathtaking colours.

Since we watched the movie at midday, I had a lot of time in the afternoon left. When I got home, my Dad was entertaining some friends, and Mum had gone out with my brothers. Hmmm. I was in a rather mellow mood. Why not watch another movie?

I had a copy of Pride and Prejudice on my laptop, and I've heard excellent reviews for it. Popped on my Sony Fontopia earphones, clicked play... on with the show!

Yes, Simple American, I heartily agree that Pride and Prejudice was a much better watch the Memoirs of a Geisha. Despite having read the book too many years ago and forgotten most of the storyline, I connected with the awe of Jane Austen's literature once more. It did so carry me back to remembering the old English ways I've almost always read in Austen's other compositions, as well as the works of Charlotte Bronte.

Do you recall a mini-series made some 11 years ago, with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy? I'm such a fan of Firth, I'm sure he was a much more convincing Mr. Darcy than Matthew MacFadyen was, somehow. Hmmm, I think I'll search for BBC's 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice. Worth watching it again since it's got even higher ratings than the 2005 movie version, don't you think? Might even download it on time for a Valentine's Day movie marathon.

Comparing the two movies, it's such a stark contrast between the old ways of the East where women are expected to give pleasure to men, and of the West where women are more than just objects of affection.

Either way, the message of both stories is still... love. Soppy, heart-breaking, toe-warming love. And today, for the first time in a long while, I bathed myself in these delicious feelings. I do so wish to meet my Chairman or Mr. Darcy someday. As I get older, I've indulged less and less in romantic notions and more into harsh reality. But having just immersed myself in two happy-ever-after tales, it's given me a little bit of hope once more, and another thorn out from my heart.

Well then. Two romantic movies in a day. That's enough to fill me up till it oozed out of my ears. I could go on for a bit more, but I think I'll let it simmer down till another session with Mr. Darcy on 14 February... *winks!*


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