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Mona Lisa Smile

Play trailer Poster for Mona Lisa Smile PG-13 2003 1h 57m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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33% Tomatometer 149 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles) to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.
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Mona Lisa Smile

Mona Lisa Smile

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Critics Consensus

Though Mona Lisa Smile espouses the value of breaking barriers, the movie itself is predictable and safe.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 03/12/2018
The cartoon notions of the '50s and snooty Easterners say more about Hollywood cluelessness than about the period the film condescends to...lacking the courage of its own vulgarity, Mona Lisa Smile is as tepid as old bathwater. Go to Full Review
Antonia Quirke London Evening Standard 12/20/2017
Just what we need: a pyjama party posing as a movie. Go to Full Review
Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/26/2010
3/5
Glossy entertainment value but far from art. Go to Full Review
Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com 05/12/2009
B-
Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles and Maggie Gyllenhaal furnish well-observed performances that frequently outshine Julia Roberts's reflex characterization in this female variant of "Dead Poets Society." Go to Full Review
Film Threat 12/06/2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Alain E @AlainE Nov 13 Unclear why this rates so low. It is a quite honest depiction of society’s attitudes towards women before feminism took hold. Acting is very good, as in addition to Julia Roberts we also have for example Kirsten Dunst and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Expertly photographed with some intentional use of grain to indicate that this is a period movie. No nudity at all. The most controversial item is a good old diaphragm. Stay with the final credits and enjoy a generous dose of 40s and 50s imagery. See more VITALII H @freakynickison Oct 28 I feel like this movie is timeless. And I don't know how I never heard about it before. It's about the woman who moved into a small town to work as a art teacher. And she teaches the girls that they can be so much more than a stereotypical housewifes of 50s that they were expected to become these years. They can pursue careers and don't feel guilty about it. See more Julio C. @Juliosurfer Oct 13 I loved it. I don’t know why it gets a lot of hate. It is the women’s version of dead poet society. The acting is great! See more thiago s @Thiagostone Sep 5 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Sarah T Aug 13 Why do we watch movies? Because we want to escape to another time period and meet characters and hear a story. This movie is a fun watch on a rainy or snowy day especially. It captures a nostalgic time period at a school for girls learning art history from a more non-conventional professor. And if you’re observant you’ll understand behaviors more and psychology. There’s more depth to be found than just watching the movie. Watch the relationship dynamics. See more May 18 Don’t listen to the critics. The movie is so good! See more Read all reviews
Mona Lisa Smile

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Movie Info

Synopsis Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles) to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.
Director
Mike Newell
Producer
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Deborah Schindler, Paul Schiff
Screenwriter
Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Red Om Films, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Revolution Studios
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Issues|Sexual Content)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 19, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$63.7M
Runtime
1h 57m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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