A free-thinking art professor teaches conservative 1950s Wellesley girls to question their traditional social roles.
Director:
Mike Newell
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Title: Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Julia Roberts | ... | Katherine Ann Watson | |
| Kirsten Dunst | ... | Betty Warren | |
| Julia Stiles | ... | Joan Brandwyn | |
| Maggie Gyllenhaal | ... | Giselle Levy | |
| Ginnifer Goodwin | ... | Connie Baker | |
| Dominic West | ... | Bill Dunbar | |
| Juliet Stevenson | ... | Amanda Armstrong | |
| Marcia Gay Harden | ... | Nancy Abbey | |
| John Slattery | ... | Paul Moore | |
| Marian Seldes | ... | President Jocelyn Carr | |
| Donna Mitchell | ... | Mrs. Warren | |
| Terence Rigby | ... | Dr. Edward Staunton | |
| Jennie Eisenhower | ... | Girl at the Station | |
 |
Leslie Lyles | ... | Housing Director |
| Laura Allen | ... | Susan Delacorte | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Katherine Ann Watson has accepted a position teaching art history at the prestigious Wellesley College. Watson is a very modern woman, particularly for the 1950s, and has a passion not only for art but for her students. For the most part, the students all seem to be biding their time, waiting to find the right man to marry. The students are all very bright and Watson feels they are not reaching their potential. Altough a strong bond is formed between teacher and student, Watson's views are incompatible with the dominant culture of the college. Written by garykmcd
Plot Keywords:
teacher student relationship | no opening credits | women's liberation | year 1953 | reference to the atomic bomb |Taglines:
In einer Welt, die ihnen vorschrieb, wie man lebt, lehrte sie sie, wie man denkt. (In a world that told them how to live, she taught them how to think.) See more »Genres:
DramaMotion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and thematic issues | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Betty Warren: [voiceover] All her life, she had wanted to teach at Wellesley College. So, when a position opened in the Art History department, she pursued it single-mindedly until she was hired. It was whispered that Katherine Watson, a first-year teacher from Oakland State, made up in brains what she lacked in pedigree. Which was why this bohemian from California was on her way to the most conservative college in the nation.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
David Ansen's review of ''Mona Lisa Smile'' in Newsweek encapsulated many of the criticisms leveled at the film due to its historical inaccuracies: ''The movie's cartoon notions of the 50's and snooty Easterners say more about Hollywood cluelessness than about the period the film condescends to." See more »Goofs
The film erroneously depicts Wellesley as the most conservative college in the nation. In fact, Wellesley was not politically conservative at this time and had already appointed to its faculty one of the first African-American sociology professors. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Betty Warren: [voiceover] All her life, she had wanted to teach at Wellesley College. So, when a position opened in the Art History department, she pursued it single-mindedly until she was hired. It was whispered that Katherine Watson, a first-year teacher from Oakland State, made up in brains what she lacked in pedigree. Which was why this bohemian from California was on her way to the most conservative college in the nation.
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Crazy Credits
The end credits for the prominent cast and crew are set in front of vintage footage and advertisements showing women in the 1940s and 50s. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
19 December 2003 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Mona Lisa Smile See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$65,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$11,528,498, 21 December 2003Gross USA:
$63,860,942Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$141,337,989Company Credits
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I liked Julia Roberts less in her earlier movies, I like her more now that she is playing older and flawed characters, like the new professor of Art History in 1953 Wellesley College in "Mona Lisa Smile." And the title does not refer to her, instead it is embedded in remarks in the screenplay about the actual painting of The Mona Lisa. Not everything turns out well in this movie, it more closely reflects real life than do many of the modern romantic comedies. This one is NOT a romantic comedy, although it does include several romances, and there are some funny parts. It is more a serious drama about life and growing up, both from the perspectives of the undergraduates, and the new professor. I bought the DVD, the picture and sound are fine, and there are several interesting extras on the making of this movie, and the work done to get the period correct.
I don't share the many negative comments about this movie. It is a fine drama, one that merits repeat viewings once or twice a year. It is NOT simply a 'Dead Poet's Society' for the girls. To call it that is to overlook all the fine, unique points about this movie.
Update: Saw it again March 2013, I enjoyed it as much as the first two times.
Update: Saw it again June 2017, I enjoyed it as much as the first three times.