The Secret Life of Geisha
Picture: B-
Sound: B- Extras: B- Program: B+
A&E is known for putting out fantastic material and The Secret Life of Geisha is no
exception. While the program is
semi-short (about 93-minutes) the content is genuinely packed in its
runtime. There is no doubt that the
release of this particular title is right on time with the current hype over Memoirs of a Geisha, which is based on
the novel of the same name by Arthur Golden, who appears in this program and
serves as one of the more knowledgeable sources behind the secret life of this
particular sub-culture. Until his novel
there had been many misconceptions about Geisha such as what they do, where
they live, what their job entails, etc, but his novel and especially this
program shed light to something that has been secretive for hundreds of
years.
Included in this program are a few other interviewees that
are quite interesting including the only western woman to ever become a Geisha
and also a chronicle of some of the other better known Geisha over time,
including a 93-year old woman who remains the oldest working Geisha dating back
to the years around WWII, when the G.I.s infiltrated the Geisha lifestyle and
brought western culture into Japan.
There is also the true story that is uncovered behind the 1958 John
Wayne film The Barbarian and the Geisha,
which is a Hollywood version of a true story of a western man who married a
Geisha, which is quite uncommon. Susan
Sarandon is our narrator as we walk through the history of the Geisha and also
focus on some of the newer customs of Geisha.
The program is from 1999 and dates fairly well, but shows slight age
with its video footage. If the program
were shot now it most likely would be in High Definition, which would look
stunning with Geisha outfits really standing out!
The 1.33 X 1 video image looks decent, but nowhere near
what we have come to expect over the past few years in the video market. Colors are more muted and detail is not
nearly as sharp, but still adequate enough to pass. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound is fairly straightforward and
gets the job done as well. This is just
an all out excellent A&E program worthy of viewing, perhaps a great way to
expand your horizons with some entertainment in the process.
- Nate Goss
