Mona Lisa Smile

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Mona Lisa Smile

PG-13

Released Dec 19, 2003

1h 57m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

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150 Reviews

60%

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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 Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles) to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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Critics Consensus

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

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David Ansen

Newsweek

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.

Mar 12, 2018

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Just what we need: a pyjama party posing as a movie.

Dec 20, 2017

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Glossy entertainment value but far from art.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 26, 2010

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

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."

Rated: B-

May 12, 2009

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Film Threat

Rated: 2/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Garth Franklin

Dark Horizons

Rated: 2.5/5

Apr 2, 2005

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Stella W

The plot line contradicts itself and not in a planned way. It's almost gross how stupid this movie is, and don't get me wrong. I love a rom com that is just a rom com and doesn't pretend to be more. This movie pretends to be more while being less valuable than most rom coms I've seen? I'm mad that it tries to be something it is not, it's just so fake? Despite all the star actresses it's just bad. Like someone tried so hard to be intellectual but couldn't.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/18/24

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Mariana A

The acting, the lines, the plot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

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Ma H

I probably wouldn’t normally give it full 5 stars as it is not in the league of godfather or aliens. but it deserves way better than average given on RT so I feel a need to help compensate. So yes - good will hunting which has that similar drama / follow your dreams / feel good vibe might be a bit better but mona Lisa is still a damn good film. Well written and acted and making for an enjoyable evening. Also good to encourage young teenage daughters to watch if you have em like I do :) go girls!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/24

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Orson V

Writing is bad. The whole ordeal fails to capture the 1950s atmosphere. The way formulaic prediction that Roberts portrayed as Watson is so weak, its like watching her play pretty woman in a pearl harbor era set up. It just doesnt work! The other women in this picture outshine her in all scenes they share. The score is so underthought, it hearts my mind to think.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

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Geoffrey H

It was enjoyable imo, theres alot of uncomfortable dynamic within the movie, but i think the message of the movie is quite clear.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/21/24

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Ana M

waste of time, really

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/31/24

Full Review

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Mike Newell

Director

Julia Roberts

Katherine Watson

Kirsten Dunst

Betty Warren

Julia Stiles

Joan Brandwyn

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Giselle Levy

Juliet Stevenson

Amanda Armstrong

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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: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Revolution Studios, Red Om Films, Columbia Pictures Corporation
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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