A sumptuous spiritual banquet just as well as an abundant visual feast
Before watching this movie I somehow realized it was a bit underrated given its inspiring plot summary on IMDb and all the big actress names and that was proved even more of the case after watching it.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003), what a mind inspiring, thought provoking as well as eye pleasing film. From plot to acting, costume to makeup, sound to background it is absolutely an all-female hit movie. The plot is an interesting one. A prestigious liberal art college which was not sufficiently liberal in the eyes of a modern female instructor witnesses its students' traditional values to move on the more progressive spectrum. The protagonist has definitely opened the eyes of many spoilt students with ties in high places. She does this by breaking the walls of traditional teaching which is bound by syllabus.
Thought provocation is the soul of any drama without which the show is no better than a dead storybook. This movie is particularly thought provoking in that the protagonist has challenged the perceived roles that many women are born to fill, which draws a remarkable resemblance to The Iron Lady (2011) where a young Thatcher told her husband that women are not born to do house chores like washing up. They have every reason to pursue their own dreams, which goes down well with some independent minded modern women but less so with women with traditional values. Whichever the case is, professional women are not in short supply in the modern society, be it women artists, entrepreneurs or politicians. "You can do both (career and marriage)," said Watson (Julia Roberts) to one of her students Joan (Julia Stiles). The protagonist's persona is awe inspiring to many. Most women long to have a good husband and start their own families, which is nothing wrong. Yet there are those who dare to be different, who aim to bring a change, and who strive to succeed. To achieve this they have to overcome their physical weakness compared to men and exert tremendous mental strength. Isn't that inspirational to many of us?
Conflicts are the engines of any movie, which are forcefully demonstrated from start to finish. Disagreement in teaching style between lecturer and President, collision between instructor and students, argument among fellow students and even confrontation between women students and their partners are stripped quite bare in an artistic manner, so much so that it makes seemingly bickering conflicts an enjoyable art show.
The scenes are another wow factor that catches my eyes. Nostalgic college dormitory, green and leafy campus, posh wedding ceremony and lavish party scenes are all eye candies for a good movie like this. Costume and makeup are impeccably crafted throughout this show. It is particularly nostalgic to see traditional suits and dresses on party scenes, which is a far cry from the casual fashion trend today. Filming locations are also carefully calibrated to cater to the historical and cultural backdrops of such genre. East coast of the US is indeed very rich in culture.
Yet again I wouldn't have watched this show without all the big names in acting which simply is superb. Julia Roberts, what a household name, from Pretty Woman (1990) to Wonder (2017), just to name a few, she has made countless awe-inspiring movies. No wonder she is among the top female cast in Hollywood. Along the list are Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, all of whom are blockbusting actresses. They interact so well that it has dismissed my fear of watching a bitchy all-women motion picture.
The closing credit is also a great wrap up with Watson's students chasing her on bikes when she left for her next teaching contract in Europe and Watson sitting in the cab shedding a tear or two. Happy tears or sad tears, or perhaps a bit of both? It's up to your own imagination. The wall (of thinking) is broken by Watson.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003), what a mind inspiring, thought provoking as well as eye pleasing film. From plot to acting, costume to makeup, sound to background it is absolutely an all-female hit movie. The plot is an interesting one. A prestigious liberal art college which was not sufficiently liberal in the eyes of a modern female instructor witnesses its students' traditional values to move on the more progressive spectrum. The protagonist has definitely opened the eyes of many spoilt students with ties in high places. She does this by breaking the walls of traditional teaching which is bound by syllabus.
Thought provocation is the soul of any drama without which the show is no better than a dead storybook. This movie is particularly thought provoking in that the protagonist has challenged the perceived roles that many women are born to fill, which draws a remarkable resemblance to The Iron Lady (2011) where a young Thatcher told her husband that women are not born to do house chores like washing up. They have every reason to pursue their own dreams, which goes down well with some independent minded modern women but less so with women with traditional values. Whichever the case is, professional women are not in short supply in the modern society, be it women artists, entrepreneurs or politicians. "You can do both (career and marriage)," said Watson (Julia Roberts) to one of her students Joan (Julia Stiles). The protagonist's persona is awe inspiring to many. Most women long to have a good husband and start their own families, which is nothing wrong. Yet there are those who dare to be different, who aim to bring a change, and who strive to succeed. To achieve this they have to overcome their physical weakness compared to men and exert tremendous mental strength. Isn't that inspirational to many of us?
Conflicts are the engines of any movie, which are forcefully demonstrated from start to finish. Disagreement in teaching style between lecturer and President, collision between instructor and students, argument among fellow students and even confrontation between women students and their partners are stripped quite bare in an artistic manner, so much so that it makes seemingly bickering conflicts an enjoyable art show.
The scenes are another wow factor that catches my eyes. Nostalgic college dormitory, green and leafy campus, posh wedding ceremony and lavish party scenes are all eye candies for a good movie like this. Costume and makeup are impeccably crafted throughout this show. It is particularly nostalgic to see traditional suits and dresses on party scenes, which is a far cry from the casual fashion trend today. Filming locations are also carefully calibrated to cater to the historical and cultural backdrops of such genre. East coast of the US is indeed very rich in culture.
Yet again I wouldn't have watched this show without all the big names in acting which simply is superb. Julia Roberts, what a household name, from Pretty Woman (1990) to Wonder (2017), just to name a few, she has made countless awe-inspiring movies. No wonder she is among the top female cast in Hollywood. Along the list are Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, all of whom are blockbusting actresses. They interact so well that it has dismissed my fear of watching a bitchy all-women motion picture.
The closing credit is also a great wrap up with Watson's students chasing her on bikes when she left for her next teaching contract in Europe and Watson sitting in the cab shedding a tear or two. Happy tears or sad tears, or perhaps a bit of both? It's up to your own imagination. The wall (of thinking) is broken by Watson.