Memoirs of a Geisha [movie review]

There was some controversy because some of the main characters were played by Chinese actors. I saw an interview of Michelle Yeoh (Mameha) where she responded to the issue by saying that Chinese and Japanese often play each other in movies. Easy answer for a complex issue. White people play each other all the time. How many American actors have donned British accents, or even Italian accents (Nicholas Cage in Captain Corelli's Mandolin) over the years? British actor Hugh Laurie expertly dons an American accent on the Fox show House. I don't hear anyone complaining.
 
I think the real complaints come from Asians who are trying to get a thread of respect from Westerners. Yes this is a movie review, but indulge me. I'm reminded of a scene in David Henry Hwang's play M. Butterfly where a white man is given an example case of how the West sees itself as superior. The example (I'm paraphrasing here) goes like this: if an Asian woman sacrifices herself for a white man, she is seen as noble. If a white woman sacrifices herself for an Asian man, she's not in the right state of mind. Consciously or subconsciously, Asians are well aware the West sees itself as superior.
 
Asians in the U.S. feel the need to assert their individual cultures, and rightly so. For this reason, along with past conflicts (World War II), Japanese don't like being confused with Chinese, and vice-versa. Japan feels itself culturally dwarfed by the very same imperialistic mindset it had in WWII. This is clearly shown in Memoirs… during the American occupation of Japan. It's not an exaggeration that most American's see all Asians as looking the same, as do some Asians. It begs the question: does it matter if Americans can't tell the difference between a Chinese and a Japanese? And is there something wrong with a Chinese actor playing a Japanese character?
 
If an American can't tell the difference between two Asians of different ancestry, it's not because of racism, as it isn't intentional. I'm sure if most Americans could easily learn the difference, they would. Ironically, it enables racism. Though I'm sure some Chinese would appreciate not being called Japanese, when people are aware of differences, it ultimately leads to discrimination. When an Asian of one race is mistaken for another, that individual should not reflexively feel victimized.
 
Throughout the movie, I must admit, I was slightly distracted when I heard a Chinese actor speak. It was as clear as day that they weren't genuine™ Japanese. It was somewhat racist of me to even discriminate and judge the actors like that. But, then again, has anyone seen Nicholas Cage try that ridiculous Italian accent in Captain Corelli's Mandolin?? My preconceptions aside, the emotions were genuine. In hindsight, that's really all that matters.
 
Okay, so this started out as a movie review, and morphed unexpectedly into some rant about race and stuff. I got really long-winded and deep. I found out more about myself, I hope you did too, blah, blah, I'm a big 'ol windbag. Go see this movie, it's a touching love story that's well acted, directed, and should help convince your date that life is too short to take love slowly. Ohhhh damn, what did I just imply?!! And the review started off all intellectual. How'd I sink to this level?