Mike Newell's MONA LISA SMILE is a pretty period film that combines a quaint pedagogical tale with a feminist dissection of traditional female roles in 1950s society. Julia Roberts... more
This review already contains more than 120 words. As a Ciao member you could earn up to £5 with this review.
2 out of 2 offers for Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen)
sorted by Price
Mona Lisa Smile [2004]
Julia Roberts' command of the screen is so effortless, it's easy for moviegoers to take
... more
her for granted--but we shouldn't. Mona Lisa Smile--about a non-comformist teacher at a private school who encourages students to pursue their individuality--is pre...
Mona Lisa Smile [2004]
Julia Roberts' command of the screen is so effortless, it's easy for moviegoers to take
... more
her for granted--but we shouldn't. Mona Lisa Smile--about a non-comformist teacher at a private school who encourages students to pursue their individuality--is pre...
Mona Lisa Smile [2004]
Julia Roberts' command of the screen is so effortless, it's easy for moviegoers to take
... more
her for granted--but we shouldn't. Mona Lisa Smile--about a non-comformist teacher at a private school who encourages students to pursue their individuality--is pretty much an all-girls version of Dead Poets Society that mixes 50s fashions with 70s feminist thought. However, its lack of ambition doesn't diminish the talent that's gone into it: the writing and directing are well-honed and skilful; the actors--a talent-studded cast featuring Marcia Gay Harden, Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julia Stiles and Juliet Stevenson--are uniformly excellent. But without question, Mona Lisa Smile rides on Roberts' shoulders and she carries it with ease. She's possibly the only contemporary actor who simply owns a movie the way Bette Davis, Jean Arthur, or Claudette Colbert once did, radiating a engaging mix of intelligence, drive, and emotional warmth that cannot be matched. --Bret Fetzer
Mona Lisa Smile [2004]
Julia Roberts' command of the screen is so effortless, it's easy for moviegoers to take
... more
her for granted--but we shouldn't. Mona Lisa Smile--about a non-comformist teacher at a private school who encourages students to pursue their individuality--is pretty much an all-girls version of Dead Poets Society that mixes 50s fashions with 70s feminist thought. However, its lack of ambition doesn't diminish the talent that's gone into it: the writing and directing are well-honed and skilful; the actors--a talent-studded cast featuring Marcia Gay Harden, Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julia Stiles and Juliet Stevenson--are uniformly excellent. But without question, Mona Lisa Smile rides on Roberts' shoulders and she carries it with ease. She's possibly the only contemporary actor who simply owns a movie the way Bette Davis, Jean Arthur, or Claudette Colbert once did, radiating a engaging mix of intelligence, drive, and emotional warmth that cannot be matched. --Bret Fetzer
Advantages: Looks great, nostalgic look at a narrow section of US life Disadvantages: Period details may not be that accurate, very soppy
Mike Newell directed "Four weddings and a Funeral", "Donnie Brasco", "Pushing Tin" - so he's made quite a variety of movies... comedy, gritty drama, drama/comedy. And now (some would say) he's turned his hand to one of those "soppy dramas". Yes, the soppy drama is a genuine movie genre, doncha know?
Not to prejudge these things, however, I went to see the movie. I knew it was set in a College for Girls, and I knew it starred Julia Roberts, as well ... ...Dunst, and also Juliet Stevenson). So it seems logical to think of it as a "women's movie" - and having seen it I concluded that I was right - it's definitely going to appeal to women a lot more than it is to men.
Not necessarily a problem, and there are plenty who enjoy seeing a soppy drama or two. Having said that, the story has a serious, more political side, however much it is dealt with in a lightweight way.
The date is 1953, and the story ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...films including the one for Mona Lisa Smile.
The Message & Christian View Point
--------------------------------------------
The message that I saw in this film, is that just because everyone around you conforms to what they believe is the norm, it doesn't mean you have to. We all have the ability of making up our own minds about what we want to do and if we feel strongly about our beliefs then we should stick by them. Conclusion & Rating
-------------------------
... ...to Miss Roberts and Miss Stiles, 2 of my favourite actresses, and when I read the synopsis I though huge mistake. To my surprise, that when I started to watch the film, I found myself captivated not just by my favourite actresses but by the story, cinematography, location and the rest of the cast. I really didn't believe that this film would have such an inspiring story. The whole film is very well made, but I wouldn't recommend to everyone to buy ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great Cast & Strong Performances Disadvantages: Lacking in real drama and grit
...to her young charges.
Mona Lisa Smile (2004) 12A
Director - Mike Newell
Cast - Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Styles, Maggie Gyllenhall, Dominic West & Juliet Stevenson.
Running-Time 120 minutes
On general release 12th March 2004
Whilst watching the story unfold you have to fight the feeling that this has all been done before. The cliched unfashionable teacher helping the children to make good conjurs memories as varied as Dead Poets Society, ... ...this is still a good movie.
The setting and scenery of New England (whether in sunshine or snow) was very atmospheric and presented an authentic looking backdrop to this gentle 50's style melodrama.
Julia Roberts is on winning form and produces a measured and credible performance full of fun and emotion, This is no mean feat when the storyline is not the most testing and could so easily have fallen flat under less talented a leading lady.
The ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: This is more for the girls and for a girls night in so it will be a big hit for females. Disadvantages: Guys may not want to watch this film as it is rather slow moving, classy kind of film.
This movie is like a beautiful piece of artwork. It potrays a story of 4 students and a teacher who inspires them to break the norm and be more than what a woman is expected of in the society of the yesteryear. It is a "Girl power" movie with a bunch of good actresses, cool costumes and also funny intense moments. Julia Stiles gives a fine performance in this film, as she looks the part with her new short hair. Expect the same from Julia Roberts. ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Actor(s): Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dominic West, Juliet Stevenson, Marcia Gay Harden
Director(s): Mike Newell
Genre: Drama
Classification: 12 years and over
Production Year: 2003
Running Time: 1 hour 54 minutes
Video Category: Feature Film
Plot: Set in 1953, Katherine Watson joins the staff at Wellesley College, a prestigious 'women-only' school. Katherine becomes determined to make her pupils confront the social mores of the time and lead the lives they want to live rather than the ones society expects them to.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Mike Newell's MONA LISA SMILE is a pretty period film that combines a quaint pedagogical tale with a feminist dissection of traditional female roles in 1950s society. Julia Roberts leads an impressive cast of top young actresses including Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kirsten Dunst, and Julia Stiles. Roberts is Katherine Watson, a revolutionary art history teacher at Wellesley College in 1953. Though she has true admiration for her intelligent all-female students, she is perturbed that their interest in finding husbands takes precedence over their studies. Determined to instruct them in feminist values and teach them to be independent--defying the college's emphasis on breeding good wives, mothers, and homemakers--Watson is deemed subversive by the administration. Even Watson's identity--from California, over 30 years old, and unmarried--is problematic. And when she turns her class onto modern art rather than teaching the recommended classical curriculum, Watson is severely chastised by the staunchly conservative students and faculty. Beautiful photography of the picture-perfect Wellesley campus combined with a perpetual parade of lovely period costumes makes MONA LISA SMILE a visual delight. Strong performances by each of the actresses, including Dunst uncharacteristically cast as a prim and proper prude, and Marcia Gay Harden as a boring tv-addicted spinster, only add to the splendour of this enjoyable film.
Technical information
Special Features: Art Forum Featurette, College Then And Now Featurette, What Women Wanted 1953 Featurette, Filmographies, Elton John Music Video The Heart Of Every Girl, Theatrical Trailer
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English Hungarian
Professional reviews
Review: "...See this wonderful film and feel inspired..." (Cosmopolitan, )
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 19/04/2004
Compare Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen) to other similar Drama
![Mona Lisa Smile [2004]](http://picnic.ciao.com/uk/65501330.jpg)
