Mona Lisa Smile

( 17 )

Overview

Set in 1953, Mona Lisa Smile tells the story of Katherine Watson Julia Roberts, a new young art history professor at Wellesley College, an all-female campus with a prestigious reputation for academic excellence. Unfortunately for free-minded Berkeley grad Watson, her East Coast teaching stint comes during a less-progressive time that finds most of her students -- among them Betty Warren Kirsten Dunst, Joan Brandwyn Julia Stiles, and Giselle Levy Maggie Gyllenhaal -- more interested in nabbing a good husband than ...
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More About This Product

Overview

Set in 1953, Mona Lisa Smile tells the story of Katherine Watson Julia Roberts, a new young art history professor at Wellesley College, an all-female campus with a prestigious reputation for academic excellence. Unfortunately for free-minded Berkeley grad Watson, her East Coast teaching stint comes during a less-progressive time that finds most of her students -- among them Betty Warren Kirsten Dunst, Joan Brandwyn Julia Stiles, and Giselle Levy Maggie Gyllenhaal -- more interested in nabbing a good husband than achieving scholastic and intellectual growth. Watson challenges her students and the Wellesley faculty to think outside of the current mores of the community and redefine what it means to be a success; meanwhile, she tries to come to terms with her own heart's desires. Mona Lisa Smile co-stars Marcia Gay Harden, Juliet Stevenson, and, as Watson's conflicting love interests, Dominic West and John Slattery.
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Special Features

Art forum; College then and now; What women wanted: 1953; Music video-Elton John "the heart of every girl"
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse
Julia Roberts, whose career choices haven't always been smart, picked a winner in this neatly directed drama, which unfolds in the rarified setting of Wellesley College during the early years of the Cold War. Roberts plays a free-spirited art teacher who finds her new assignment stultifying: Her well-to-do students seem less interested in expanding their minds and pursuing fulfilling careers than in marrying promising young scions of comparably proper breeding. Kirsten Dunst, in her most complex role since The Virgin Suicides, plays the ringleader of one student clique; intellectually gifted but insufferably snobbish, she deliberately shuns the adventure of personal achievement in favor of a conventional union sanctioned by her parents. Julia Stiles gets the less demanding but equally important role of a similarly talented pupil who finds herself yearning for something more than marriage and motherhood but fears abandoning the role for which she has prepared all her life. Director Mike Newell opts for a light touch, letting Roberts and company keep it on track with their sharply observed characterizations and spirited interplay. The younger actresses -- including Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is delightfully tart as the clique's resident "bad girl" -- all get ample opportunities to shine, and for her part Roberts refrains from upstaging them. Ultimately, Mona Lisa Smile is not a star vehicle but a true ensemble piece, and that helps make it a highly enjoyable viewing experience.
All Movie Guide - Perry Seibert
Wellesley College is a women's college where the best and the brightest women of New England's privileged class come to learn, if not necessarily to think. Mona Lisa Smile is about how the new art history teacher, unmarried Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), asks the young women of that university to reject the oppressive domestic goddess lifestyle that awaits almost all of them after graduation. Of the three students most affected by Watson, Maggie Gyllenhaal's Giselle Levy gets the best lines. The alcohol-swilling, sexually promiscuous rebel she plays feels like a product of the '50s, and Giselle quickly adores finding an older role model in Watson. Julia Stiles does the best work in the film as Joan Brandwyn, who opens up to the possibility that she does not have to marry her sweetheart. Her scene with Roberts after she makes the decision about her future is the best scene in the film because it is the only one in which anybody shows Watson that her beliefs may not be best for everyone. Sadly, the talented Kirsten Dunst as rich bitch Betty Warren is saddled with the worst scenes and the worst dialogue in the film. She suffers simply because she accepts wholeheartedly what she has been spoon-fed from childhood. Her punishment is so total and so extreme that the film becomes little more than a wholehearted acceptance of Watson's world view. That, plus the cartoonish treatment of Marcia Gay Harden as a heartbroken spinster who intensely believes in the importance of properly planned dinner parties, makes Mona Lisa Smile feel like a feminist film made by Wellesley graduates who want you to learn about feminism, but do not ask you to think about it.
Washington Post - Stephen Hunter
The movie, with its panorama of emotional epiphanies and its belief in the talent and grace of young women, is nevertheless bracing.
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert
The characters involve us, we sympathize with their dreams and despair of their matrimonial tunnel vision, and at the end we are relieved that we listened to Miss Watson and became the wonderful people who we are today.
Boston Globe - Wesley Morris
The reliable Mike Newell directs Mona Lisa Smile with such assurance that the important moments are never mawkish or dull, and he encourages the women to act with absolute conviction.

The movie, with its panorama of emotional epiphanies and its belief in the talent and grace of young women, is nevertheless bracing.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 2/2/2010
  • UPC: 043396262980
  • Original Release: 2003

    • Rating:

  • Source: Sony Pictures
  • Region Code: ABC
  • Presentation: Wide Screen / Subtitled / Dubbed
  • Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Time: 1:59:00
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Sales rank: 27,688

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Julia Roberts Katherine Watson
Kirsten Dunst Betty Warren
Julia Stiles Joan Brandwyn
Maggie Gyllenhaal Giselle Levy
Juliet Stevenson Amanda Armstrong
Dominic West Bill Dunbar
Marcia Gay Harden Nancy Abbey
Ginnifer Goodwin Constance Baker
Topher Grace Tommy Donegal
John Slattery Paul Moore
Jordan Bridges Spencer Jones
Marian Seldes Jocelyn Carr
Donna Mitchell Mrs. Warren
Terence Rigby Dr. Edward Staunton
Laura Allen Susan Delacorte
Lauren Adler Art History Student
Tori Amos Wedding Singer
Jennifer H. Anderson Projectionist
Katherine Argo Dancer
Daisy Baldwin Art History Student
Janine Barris Art History Student
Emily Bauer Art History Student
Kirstie Bingham Art History Student
Paul Vincent Black Joseph O'Neill
Shelby Bond Wet Girls
Christopher Bonomo Groomsman
Jennifer Bowen Art History Student
Lou Brock Dancer
Rob Buntzen Wedding Planner Host
Chris Burke Custodian
James Callahan John Brandwyn
Michael Choi Dancer
Angelique Claire Art History Student
Rony Clanton Porter
Nikki Coble Art History Student
Kristen Connolly Art History Student
Kristyn Coppola Art History Student
Melissa Deles Dancer
Dorothy Dwyer Faculty
Kimberly Ehly Art History Student
Jennie Eisenhower Girl At The Station
Laura M. Flahive Wet Girls
Megan Marie Ford Art History Student
John D. Fowler Dancer
Lauren Fruchter Art History Student
Nicole Frydman Dancer
Noelle Gibson Dancer
Lisa Roberts Gillan Miss Albini
Kate Glass Art History Student
Natalie Gomez Dancer
Sid Grant Dancer
Larry Grenadier Bass Player
Amanda Gruss Art History Student
Madeleine Hackney Dancer
Stella Hao Art History Student
Walker Hays Art History Student
Betina Hershey Dancer
Michele Hillen Art History Student
Yuval Hod Dancer
Kristen Marie Holly Christmas Student
Devon Jencks Art History Student
Christopher Braden Jones bartender
Jerry Jordan Dancer
Carrie Ann Kaye Christmas Student
Nickolay Khazanov Dancer
Canedy Knowles Christmas Student
Nadia Kravets Dancer
Maria Levinstein Dancer
Lily Lodge House Matron
Leslie Lyles Housing Director
Kellydawn Malloy Dancer
Maria Vicens Girau Dancer
Annika Marks Art History Student
Brad Mehldau Pianist
June Miller Cape Cod Hostess
Chuck Montgomery Tall Man
Amy Montminy Art History Student
Ebon Moss-Bachrach Charlie Stewart
Melanie Angelique Moyer Christmas Student
Annette Nicole Dancer
Richard O'Rourke Igor
Lance Olds Dancer
Kevin Osborne Band Announcer
Aleksa Palladino Frances The Girl In Italian Class
Joel Palmer Dancer
Mary S. Pascoe Photographer
Elise Passamani Phyllis
Ed Peed Taxi Driver
Christian Perry Dancer
Daniel Ponickly Dancer
Lily Rabe Art History Student
Katherine Reilly Art History Student
Richard Jones Dancer
Erin E. Richardson Wet Girls
Krysten Ritter Art History Student
Peter J. Rowan Wedding Photographer
Jackie Sanders Band Announcer
Tony Scheppler Dancer
John Scurti Stan Sher
Emily R. See Wet Girls
Solomon Singer Dancer
Taylor Roberts Louise
Charles Techman Harvard Dorm Monitor
Liliane Thomas Woman On Train
Brandy Tipton Art History Student
Trisha Trokan Art History Student
Megan Tropea Art History Student
Gabriel Vaughan Dancer
Becky Veduccio Blue Ship Hostess
Kim Villanueva Dancer
Julie Wagner Bartender
Maja Walpvszyl Art History Student
Dan Weltner Dancer
Sarah Billings Wheeler Dancer
Lindsey White Projectionist
Denise Zadroga Dancer
David Snell Conductor
Technical Credits
Mike Newell Director
Michael Adkins Costumes/Costume Designer
Jill E. Anderson Costumes/Costume Designer
Mick Audsley Editor
Richard Baratta Co-producer
Susan Bode-Tyson Set Decoration/Design
Patrick Capone Camera Operator
David Chapman Asst. Director
Ellen Chenoweth Casting
Carol Herselle Crinsky Consultant/advisor
Richard Dean Makeup
Michael Dennison Costumes/Costume Designer
Susie Farris Casting
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas Producer
Addie Hall Costumes/Costume Designer
Debbie Hollbrook Costumes/Costume Designer
Lawrence Konner Screenwriter
Christine A. Leiter Makeup
Yvonne Marceau Choreography
M.J. McGrath Costumes/Costume Designer
Anastas Michos Cinematographer
Michael Murphy Special Effects
Jane Musky Production Designer
Terence J. O'Mara Sound Mixer
Rachel Portman Score Composer
Randall Poster Musical Direction/Supervision
Joseph P. Reidy Asst. Director
Mark Rosenthal Screenwriter
Joe Roth Executive Producer
Paul Schiff Producer
Deborah Schindler Producer
Hartsell Taylor Costumes/Costume Designer
Frances Vega-Buck Costumes/Costume Designer
Patricia Woodbridge Art Director
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 17 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(7)

4 Star

(4)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(2)

1 Star

(1)

Your Rating:

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Sort by: Showing all of 17 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Under-rated movie

    What a great movie. If you were born in the 40's or 50's you will understand it, if you are the child of someone from that era, you will better understand women and what they had to put up with. It is such a great movie and Julia Roberts was unbelievably great and there is so much to teach about our past in viewing this movie. Someone mentioned that they don't make movies about this era because this movie should have been a "blockbuster" but didn't make it. It is because it is too bright, intelligent and meaningful and there is not one car chase or sex scene. Buy it, see it and let's talk about it.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    loved it!

    Very exciting and inspiring to watch, especially for someone who used to be a tutor and a teacher most of her life.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Mona Lisa Frowns

    This is possibly one of the worst supposedly 'feminist' movies I have ever seen. I had hoped it would be better than what the trailers showed, but boy was I ever wrong.<p> Julia Roberts' character and acting are totally unbelievable. She looks like she was from the future and she didn't even come close to looking like she was from the 50's. The romance with her and the other teacher was so off what her character would do or act, it didn't make any sense. And of course they have the typical Julia Roberts scene with her flat on her back, hair splayed out, then cue laughing (in that irritating high pitched neighing/squealing). As usual she plays the same role she almost always does in her overrated 'acting' carrer.<p> Julia Stiles did well as her typical studious overachiever, try to do it all role, but her character went downhill near the end, in an unbelievable way. Kirsten Dunst was good as a nasty student that turned nice at the end. But by far the best were Maggie Gyllenhaal as a promiscuous yet smart and likeable student and Ginnifer Goodwin who you might have seen in the television show Ed (which she was wonderful in) and How to Win a Date With Tad Hamilton. She is the most realistic of the bunch and the one who stole the whole movie. She shined brighter than any of them. I wished she could have been in it more, it would've been a better movie. Marcia Gay Harden and Topher Grace were both great in their small roles also. I give JR .5 star, JS and KD 3 stars, and everybody else I mentioned 5 stars.<p> And just what the heck was up with the scene at the end with Kirsten Dunst riding on a bicycle along side Julia Roberts in the car. There was never any bonding between the two to make any sense in that happening.<p> I'd recommend skipping this movie, unless, of course you'd like to see something that will make you cringe and wonder why you wasted your time with such drivel. The story is simply awful! I totally disagree with the above reviews. especially Barnes and Noble's review, so very far off the mark. I am so glad I got this from the library and didn't spend any money on it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    gets better each time you watch it!

    I mostly like comedy, but even though this isn't a very funny movie, it is definitely worth your time. It's amazing how different life was for girls only 50 years ago. The best thing about the movie, I think, is all the characters. They're so different and it's like they each have their own story. Overall, it was nearly perfect.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Disappointed in Julia

    I'd compare this Julia performance to her Tinkerbell in Hook. Not good. The supporting actors, were however, outstanding. Kudos to the new young women in Hollywood. Dunst, Stiles, and each of the other roles were done very, very well. The story line was nice, but another leading actress would have made it really shine. Pretty Woman was such a great hit...but if I have to see Julia be weepy, emotional and have her head veins pop out...I'd rather not.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Quite good, but could have been better

    It was a good movie but the ending really contradicted the entire point of the movie. I was not so appreciative of that.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    This is a good movie.

    An overly sentimental movie for those who like to march to the beat of their own drum and I loved it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    I love this movie!

    This movie is inspirational. I'm so glad I wasn't a female in the 50's. Julia Roberts, Kirstin Dunst--were wonderful! I can't say enough how inspiring this movie was.

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    Posted December 2, 2009

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    Posted June 1, 2010

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    Posted April 27, 2009

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Sort by: Showing all of 17 Customer Reviews