Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

A free-thinking art professor teaches conservative 50's Wellesley girls to question their traditional societal roles.

Director:

Mike Newell

Writers:

Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal

Stars:

Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 nominations.

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

student | school | art | college | wellesley college | 

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Taglines:

In a world that told them how to think, she showed them how to live.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and thematic issues

Details

Official Sites:

Columbia Tristar [France] Official site [Brazil]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

19 December 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

La sonrisa de Mona Lisa

Filming Locations:

Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$11,289 (Hong Kong) (30 April 2004)

Gross:

$11,289 (Hong Kong) (30 April 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revolution Studios, Red Om Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the pool, the girls that can be seen synchronized swimming in the background are the members of the Wheaton College Synchronized Swim Team (in Massachusetts) from the 2002-2003 season.

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Goofs

With the exception of Christmas break, all the bar scenes are similar. Bill is wearing the same sweater, and Katherine's hair is always half-up, her earrings are always the same (as well as in the Christmas Break scene), and her outfit is the same by adding either a coat or a vest. These are all supposed to be happening at different times but are all very similar.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in Blodigt jävla helvete (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Besame Mucho"
Written by Consuelo Velázquez (as Consuelo Velazquez)
Produced by Trevor Horn
Performed by Chris Isaak

User Reviews

A well-made Wellesley College period piece.

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.