Mona Lisa Smile

I attended a women's college and found that even though this movie takes place in the early 50's, I could relate to it. Women are still struggling with finding their place in society and this movie speaks to all generations, not just those of the 1950s. The relationships that the students had not only with each other but also with their teachers were portrayed very realistically. This movie is not without flaws though, I didn't particularly like Kristin Dunst, but that is because I believe she overacts in many of her movies, but I was very moved by Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal and especially Ginnifer Goodwin. Worth watching.

I didn't expect much going into "Mona Lisa Smile". I figured it was going to be a rehash of all the movies ever made about teachers. You know, from "Goodbye Mr. Chips" and "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie", to "The Dead Poets' Society" and "Mr. Holland's Opus". But "Mona Lisa Smile" pleasantly surprised me, especially the uncompromising, principled ending.

Another thing that pleased me was the film's assumption of an intelligent, educated audience that does not require any dumbing-down of art and culture. "Mona Lisa Smile" rattles off names of artists and their works as if it fully expected moviegoers to be conversant with them. In at least one case, the film names neither the artist nor the work (Picasso's "Demoiselles d'Avignon"). All of these things are taken as givens, as part and parcel of a sophisticated audience's cultural baggage -- quite a change from the usual pap that Hollywood spoonfeeds us!

Moreover, the film sometimes speaks volumes by what it doesn't say but simply shows, taking for granted that we will fill in the blanks from our knowledge of the history of the period (that is, the early 1950s). There is one oblique reference to McCarthyism. A photo of an atomic explosion reminds us of the post-WWII, Cold War era. A game show on TV triggers a memory of the payola scandal. Again, "Mona Lisa Smile" credits us with brains rather than insulting our intelligence.

Mercifully, the title of the film is not simply a reference to Julia Roberts' famous beestung, collagen-enhanced lips. As Kirsten Dunst's character explains toward the end of the movie, Mona Lisa's smile is not necessarily an indication that she is happy and content -- any more than the women of the 1950s with their dream homes and seemingly perfect lives. "Mona Lisa Smile" is ultimately an indictment of those in society who perpetrate and perpetuate secrets and lies, and a tribute to those through whom the truth prevails.

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.

When the young, but rough, Betty Warren begins to narrate the life trajectory of Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts) and her old desire to join the faculty of the conservative Wellesley College, it is clear that her stay there will not be easy. Owner of an intelligence considered advanced for the time she was in, but without much money, Katherine really wanted to change the world (or at least part of it), starting with high school. The film, which takes place in the 1950s, shows that women at that time were considered nothing more than simple housewives and should be examples of wives not only for their husbands but also for the eyes of society as a whole. And that was the function of the Wellesley College: to train perfect women. Second, contrary to what Katherine thought, all, or at least most of the girls who studied there thought that being like that, submissive to their husbands, was the best path to be followed by any woman who wanted to be treated with respect. Independence? Free will? No no. What they learned beyond the many rules of etiquette should be swept under the rug as soon as they got married.

But the film does not focus only on the revolutionary teacher, but on a group of four friends who are so different that at times their relationships are not the happiest. We can follow the trajectories of some of these students. Betty Warren (Kirsten Dunst) initially adheres to society's traditional expectations and has a narrow view of the role of women at the time. She aspires to a conventional marriage and a traditional home life. However, as the story unfolds, Betty undergoes a transformation and begins to question her own beliefs and desires, thanks to Katherine's influence and the discoveries she makes about herself; Joan Brandwyn (Julia Stiles) is a talented and ambitious student at Wellesley who dreams of becoming a lawyer. She faces challenges as social and family expectations pressure her to marry and follow a more conventional path. Joan is inspired by Katherine's attitude and her quest for independence, which encourages her to follow her own dreams and challenge established conventions; Giselle Levy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is an outgoing and daring student who openly defies social and academic norms. She is a rebellious figure, facing punishment and judgment for her "inappropriate" behavior. Giselle sees Katherine as a mentor and support figure who encourages her to embrace her authenticity and explore her non-standard interests; Connie Baker (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a shy and insecure young woman struggling to find her own voice. She is influenced by Katherine to overcome her lack of confidence and believe in her intellectual abilities. Throughout the film, Connie gains courage to voice her opinions and realizes her potential as a student and woman.

With the end of the War and the return of men to their "pre-established places" socially, a new campaign begins for women to return to their "place" in society, the home. But things weren't the same anymore and neither were women. Some wanted to continue working and already harbored ideas of independence, the speeches convincing them to return home and dedicate themselves to marriage were not efficient for all. For this reason, a campaign was started in favor of marriage and motherhood as a "true female vocation". Some more libertarian means of the media or women preached the possibility of reconciling marriage with a career, which for middle-class women, raised and educated in the best schools, seemed an insult. The 1950s, in addition to printing these discourses about a "feminine essence" focused on home and motherhood, which are against the remnants of the so-called "first wave" of feminism, which began in the 19th century and lasted until the beginning of the In the 20th century (according to some historians) the tensions that took place in that decade point to the perception of how the liberation discourses of women from patriarchy, on the one hand, and the moral appeal of institutions to their "submissive nature" on the other, make the "second wave" of feminism comes with new reflections and discourses for "women", such as their insertion in politics.

"Mona Lisa Smile" also touches on a variety of relevant and complex themes that reflect the society of the time and are still relevant today. Here are some of the main themes explored in the film: Role of Women in Society: A central theme of the film is the role of women in 1950s society. The story takes place in an all-female educational institution where traditional expectations for women were predominantly oriented toward marriage and motherhood. The film questions these social norms, featuring female characters who want more than just to fit these expectations, seeking their own identity and personal fulfillment; Education and Empowerment: The transformative power of education is a central theme in the film. Katherine Watson's character, as an art history professor, seeks to challenge and inspire her students to think critically, question established norms, and pursue a life of authenticity and purpose. Through knowledge and questioning, students are encouraged to find their own voices and become independent and empowered women.

The issue of Conformity and Rebellion is also addressed: The film explores the balance between social conformity and individual rebelliousness. The characters face the challenge of fitting into society's expectations, while at the same time wanting to follow their own paths. They must deal with the inner conflict between the desire to conform and the need to express their individuality and follow their own dreams; Sexuality and Freedom: The theme of sexuality is approached in a subtle but significant way in the film. Some characters question the idea that marriage is the only acceptable way to express female sexuality. They explore their own passions and desires, challenging society's conservative expectations and seeking a sexually satisfying and authentic life; Ambition and Autonomy: The film also explores the quest for personal ambition and women's struggle for autonomy and professional fulfillment. The characters face the dilemma of balancing their personal ambitions with social and family pressures. They face obstacles and challenges in pursuing their individual careers and desires, but find the strength and determination to persevere and fight for their own achievements.

At one point, while showing his second class, he puts on a work of art considered grotesque by one of the students. When questioned, she replies, "No, it's not! Is it not a good work? Hmm? Come on girls, there are no books telling you what to think, so it's not that easy, correct? Still in this dialogue, the student confronts the teacher, pointing out that "art is only art until the right people say it is". Excited by the challenging debate, the teacher responds: "And who are these people?". The scene described above is perhaps one of the best in the film with regard to the didactic aspects of the work. Another striking scene is in the section in which the students move to the studio to carry out a workshop with Van Gogh's works in boxes. The teacher talks about the possibility of popularizing art with the process of technical reproducibility.

In the technical aspects, what really deserves a special mention is Mike Newell's impeccable direction. He manages to give new life to a real story, which is the way women were seen. Anastas N. Michos' cinematography plays a key role in creating the film's atmosphere. Colors are carefully chosen to convey a sense of a specific era, with a cooler palette and muted tones, underscoring the melancholy, conservative atmosphere of the 1950s. Lighting is also used effectively to create contrast and emphasize the characters' emotions, as in the scenes where Katherine is teaching her students, where the light focuses on her, highlighting her presence and authority. The work of production and art direction, led by Jeannine Oppewall and Andrew M. Stearn, is exceptional. The sets and costumes are detailed and authentic, accurately recreating the environments of the era. Locations, such as Wellesley College and the interiors of the houses, are richly decorated and help to contextualize the story and characters. The production design contributes to the public's immersion in the portrayed period, with attention to the smallest details, from furniture to scene props.

The costumes created by Catherine Marie Thomas are elegant and accurately represent the style of the period. The female characters' clothing reflects the norms and expectations of 1950s society, with elegant dresses, skirts and classic hairstyles. The costumes also help convey the characters' transformations throughout the film, reflecting their internal changes and their search for authenticity. Mick Audsley's editing is deft in creating a fluid and coherent rhythm. The transition between scenes is smooth and the montage is well balanced, allowing the story to unfold cohesively. And Rachel Portman's score perfectly complements the film's emotional tone. Composed of delicate and melodic pieces, the music emphasizes the most emotional scenes and highlights the personal journey of the characters. The soundtrack contributes to the romantic and melancholy atmosphere of the film, accentuating the emotions and conflicts of the characters.

The film's maxim lies in the problem it addresses and the message it conveys, which were demonstrated with great care in all aspects; Dunst's character asks a good question, giving the example of the Mona Lisa, "she's smiling, but is she happy? ". In addition, we have a very exciting ending that runs away from any clichés. "Mona Lisa Smile" can be appreciated by all those who have the slightest interest in knowing what it was like at the time when only the male voice was heard, or who would like to appreciate good performances.

Another film about a progressive teacher trying to teach her students how to think outside of the box. Fortunately, unlike School of Rock, my views on which were accosted last week, I left Mona Lisa Smile mostly satisfied with what I had seen. No, it's not especially revelatory or surprising. You can more or less guess what's going to happen to each character by the end. But it does leave a little more room for characterization, for slightly unexpected outcomes, and it doesn't telegraph its moments quite so rigidly as the Linklater film. Julia Roberts is an actress about whom I feel nothing; I neither like nor dislike her. I think this is one of her better performances, certainly much better than her Oscar winning role in Erin Brockovich. She plays the progressive art history teacher, who arrives at Welsley to learn that all of her students have already studied the textbook from cover to cover, and can answer any question that might arise from the class's current syllabus. The curriculum and Roberts' superiors are strict in what they want to teach about art, but Roberts veers towards teaching what the textbook will not despite them. The superiors are unhappy with her course, but some of the students are opened up to the experience. Outside of class, Roberts faces as large a challenge. Most of her students have completely resigned to the idea that they are destined for marriage and nothing more. The status quo must be challenged. The students are a nice range of characters. Kirsten Dunst plays the most conservative, who is about to be married when the film opens. She, of course, rejects Roberts' ideals. On the other end of the spectrum is Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is the sexually promiscuous girl who idealizes her teacher. Slightly left of center is Ginnifer Goodwin and right of center Julia Stiles. These four characters are set up very mechanically, of course, but the characters succeed (and this can be said about all of the other characters of the movie, including Roberts', who are all rather mechanical) on the quality of acting. Each of the performers are wonderful. They manage to make you care, which is something that didn't happen with School of Rock, whose performers (with the one exception of Joan Cusack) were adequate or worse. I especially loved Marcia Gay Harden, giving another one of the best performances of 2003, as Roberts' roommate, who teaches etiquette. She's a pathetic, tragicomic image of what some of the girls will become if they insist that the traditional concept of womanhood remain unchanged. The film also boasts exceptional technical qualities. It's simply very well made. 8/10.