Memoirs Of A Geia Ending Essay

The ending of Memoirs of a Geisha conveys a bittersweet feeling to the audience. On one hand she ultimately gets what she wants, but at what price? Through the films camera placement, and mise-en-scène, which incorporates the use of water, and the overall contrasting setting of both the beginning and ending, we have limited perception that creates the overall feeling of incompleteness in a story that will inevitably start again. In a dimly lit rainy scene we follow a train traveling into the mountains. Older Sayuri informs us of the coming story, one of secrecy and fragility, that she was carried into “by the current.” It is as though fate brings her here into a world that “without its mysteries, it cannot survive.” For much of the opening we don't know what is happening. Everything happens so quickly, and is shrouded by the smoke of the train and the fog of the weather. It is in this mysterious encounter with the films protagonist that …show more content…
This client could be Nobu which would mean that she would finally have a danna to support her. Mother says enthusiastically to a younger girl, Keiko, that, “maybe one day you will be as lucky.” To which a small voiced Sayuri replies with a meek smile to her reflection, “No geisha could ever hope for more.” This scene shows how this story is like a cycle and that one day Keiko will follow in Sayuri's footsteps. After this a dark screen door opens to reveal a vibrant landscape surrounded by water. Even in such a seemingly sad moment conveyed through the dim composition there is still light and beauty present; this is true for Sayuri's life as a geisha as well. We follow behind Sayuri as she descends the steps, and then in a tracking shot we follow along side her, though our view is obstructed by the trees. We are just as in the dark with what is going to happen as Sayuri