"My Geisha" (1962) Classic/Comedy
Rating: NR
Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Yves Montand, Edward G. Robinson
Rating: 4 stars
In this great movie directed by Jack Cardiff and nominated for an Oscar for "Best Costume", Shirley MacLaine plays Lucy Dell a famous actress determined to play the lead yet again in her director husband's (played by the wonderful Yves Montand) upcoming movie. The problem is that the leading lady must be Japanese, as the movie will be a big screen version of "Madame Butterfly". With help from her friend and agent, brilliantly played by Edward G. Robinson, she transforms herself into Yoko Mori, a shy geisha who gets the role of a lifetime. And let me tell you: if I didn't know it was Shirley MacLaine I wouldn't have recognized her! But as she gets more into her character and deeper into the trap of her lie, what will be the price for Lucy's disguise? With a beautiful cinematography, perfect interpretations, and some hilarious moments (especially when MacLaine speaks her own brand of Japanese!), this movie is a real joy to watch. The film also deals with the delicate balance that is a marriage: a partnership that requires a great deal of sacrifice sometimes, not to mention compromise, and loads of patient; but a partnership nevertheless - one that can survive and triumph with the power of true love.