Memoirs

is a classic... excellent job, cast and crew.

there is a lot of subtle communications... the play of words the polite but direct retorts which can be as sharp as any samurai blade.

the adversion of eyes in the presence of the allpowerful Mother of the Okiya...
the humble bowing to the Baron and dignitaries

the witty bantering from Zhang Ziyi's character portrayed the geisha as not merely a courtesan or prostitute as some reckoned them to be, but rather as intelligent learned distractions for those who can afford them.

her closing statement... that 'a geisha cannot hope to ask for more' (paraphrased) is 2 fold...
1, that she herself has been disappointed... that this was the best outcome that she can have
2, to the new servant girl, who may aspire passionately with all her heart to be geisha in future, it would be a statement that she will daydream of... to get herself a danna.

there is subtle touches that one may have to rewatch to capture it... but as foir a 1 time view... to me, it was well worth it