Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen)
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Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen) > Reviews

Production Year: 2003 - Drama - Director: Mike Newell - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over

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Overall user rating Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen) 4 reviews | Write a review

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...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.





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1-4 of 4 reviews of Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen)   sort by: Usefulness | Product rating | Date
A women's movie, whether Mona, or Lisa, or...
Review of Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen) by radamson

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 ... Read review

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01.03.2006
In the Heart of Every Girl
Review of Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen) by christianfilmcritic

Advantages: Inspiring, beautiful location
Disadvantages: None

...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 ... Read review

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27.01.2006
Biggest Smile by a Mile
Review of Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen) by REDF

Advantages: Great Cast & Strong Performances
Disadvantages: Lacking in real drama and grit

Welcome to 1953 and to Art History professor Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), who leaves behind the sunshine of California to embark on the somewhat harsher weather of New England and the new teaching challenges posed by the prestigous Welleseley College for girls. The young ladies there are bright, intelligent and eager to learn, but not necessarily for the benefit of their educational or career development, but more as an advertising tool to ... Read review

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19.04.2004
Old classy chick flick...
Review of Mona Lisa Smile (Wide Screen) by dessertgirl09

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

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09.03.2005

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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...
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