IN the uncertain years before the Second World War, nine-year-old Chiyo (Suzuka Ohgo) is sold by her widowed father to a geisha house, where she toils night and day for the owner, Mother (Kaori Momoi).

Constant run-ins with geisha Hatsumomo (Gong Li), who lives under Mother's roof, severely test young Chiyo's resolve and courage but she blossoms into a beautiful woman.

Renamed Sayuri (Zhang Ziyi), the young geisha is tutored in music and the art of conversation by her mentor, the vastly experienced Mameha (Michelle Yeoh). In time, Sayuri metamorphoses into the most desirable creature in the whole of 1930s Kyoto, incurring the jealousy of rival Hatsumomo.

When the time comes to auction Sayuri's virginity to the highest bidder, shy Nobu (Koji Yakusho) shows an interest but all the while Sayuri covets the one man she can never have: The Chairman (Ken Watanabe).

Rob Marshall's lavish adaptation of Arthur Golden's bestseller strikes an exceedingly alluring figure.

The film is a luxuriously dressed and choreographed romantic epic with an impressive and largely female cast. It's a triumph of spit and polish - and lamentably also a victory for style over substance.

The era has been beautifully recreated and Ziyi exudes a heartbreaking innocence and vulnerability. Li chews the scenery with gusto, bringing an enjoyably larger-than-life quality to her scheming courtesan.

Yet too much of the characters' yearning and despair is concealed behind the mask of white powder and rouge.

There is no discernible sexual chemistry with Watanabe. We feel nothing but relief that the two plus hours are almost at an end.

DVD extras include Geisha Bootcamp featurette, The Look Of A Geisha featurette, costume illustrations, The Recipes Of Chef Nobu photo gallery.

Damon Smith