Mona Lisa Smile

2003
PG-13
1h 57m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

93K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:32

Katherine Watson teaches art history in 1953 at the respectable all-female Wellesley College. She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores f... Read allKatherine Watson teaches art history in 1953 at the respectable all-female Wellesley College. She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores for women.Katherine Watson teaches art history in 1953 at the respectable all-female Wellesley College. She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores for women.

Director
- Mike Newell
Writers
- Lawrence Konner
- Mark Rosenthal
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

93K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,299

877

Director
- Mike Newell
Writers
- Lawrence Konner
- Mark Rosenthal
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 6 nominations

Trivia
Prior to the film's premiere, the producers held a special presentation of the film for Wellesley alumnae who had graduated in 1954. However, this publicity stunt back-fired when the graduates ridiculed the film as historically inaccurate. Among the many complaints voiced by the graduates: No one wore pearls, earrings or girdles to classes. Instead, students wore jeans and sweatshirts. No instructor ever encouraged them to marry or to be submissive. In fact, students were renowned for knitting in class and having food-fights in the corridors.

Goofs
A scene depicts a teacher of ''poise and elocution'' explaining to Wellesley students how to set and seat a table to further the careers of their future husbands. No such "poise and elocution'' classes were ever given at Wellesley.

Quotes
Betty Warren: [Narrating] My teacher, Katherine Watson, lived by her own definition, and would not compromise that. Not even for *Wellesley*. I dedicate this, my last editorial, to an extraordinary woman who lived by example and compelled us all to see the world through new eyes. By the time you read this, she'll be sailing to Europe, where I know she'll find new walls to break down and new ideas to replace them with. I've heard her called a quitter for leaving, an aimless wanderer. But not all who wander are aimless, especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition, beyond definition, beyond the image.

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.

Connections
Featured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Jude Law/Maggie Gyllenhaal/Michelle Branch (2003)

Soundtracks
Lift Thine Eyes
from "Elijah"
Written by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Wellesley College Chamber Singers
Lisa Graham Conductor
Under license from Wellesley College Chamber Singers

User reviews317

Review

Featured review

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.

Update: Saw it again June 2017, I enjoyed it as much as the first three times.