Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Mature themes, Sexual references, Low level coarse language
| Director: | Mike Newell |
| Actors: | Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Marcia Gay Harden, Julia Stiles, Dominic West, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Juliet Stevenson, Marian Seldes, John Slattery, Ginnifer Goodwin |
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 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.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 125mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.85:1 |
| Run Time: | 125mins |
|---|---|
| File Size (Approx): | 1.1 GB |
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Member Reviews (173)
173 Member
Reviews
Autumn Sadie
says
A really cute and beautiful film, with the stunning Julia Roberts - ach, what can I say, she is a favourite of mine.... so I loved it. 4 stars.
SuziQ
says
A nice movie with some of my fave actors.
freo
says
Botox lips and a clichéd script does not a movie make - skip it, its rubbish.
Belinda
says
Quite a sweet film. Fairly light going, but had a point to it
Elizabeth
says
I expected something more with Julia Roberts as the lead.
Anne
says
Charming and thought provoking.
Carmel
says
Good.
Christos
says
Typical Chick flick!!
Wife liked it... which is all that counts with these type of "go nowhere" films..
Harry L
says
We really loved this film which was a fabulous study of society in 1953.
Julia [ sigh ] was absolutely brilliant as the " teacher they weren't expecting " due to her very feminist views. Quite revolutionary for the 1950's.
Jacquie
says
Good chick flick. Loved it.
Kelly
says
Not what i expected but enjoyable all the same.
Sandi
says
Well written, excellent cast. I just didn't get enough loving toward the end.
Cassie
says
Forgot I had seen this one before - so obviously did not make a big impression the first time.
Alex H.
says
A collage for upper class girls meets a progressive thinking arts teacher in 1960s. Great acting.
Toni F.
says
Yes, I agree it was very uplifting. Very well acted with many of the best young actresses. Thank heavens women have choices. Very interesting
Jessica T.
says
This movie highlights the debate still relevant today about women staying at home or pursuing a career, with the best scene I found when one of the student's had just eloped and the teacher is still trying to help get her into law school. Good movie.
William D.
says
Thought this Movie fairly Average.We are Julia Roberts Fans but this movie did not do much for us
Sue B.
says
A bit of a slow start, but the gender inequality issues emerged with more substance as the film progressed.
Pauline M.
says
a very nice movie indeed.
Lynn O.
says
I found this movie very thought provoking and ahead of its time for the time period it set in. TG for feminism and where we are today. Julia made a great teacher and totally believable.
Shirley H.
says
The subject matter is inspiring and on that score it hits the mark. Julia Stiles is her usual iridescent self, Julia Roberts was not so convincing in this role. Something a little cliched about the Hollywood treatment of this story.
Cherrell S.
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Barbara S.
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Taryn E.
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A female Dead Poets without the impact. Certainly watchable, but a bit on the light-and-fluffy side.
Erna-Marie T.
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Not a bad movie but not to my taste
Gloria R.
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i loved it
Yuliya K.
says
enjoyable
Leslee J.
says
What can I say Julia Roberts is always brilliant. Reminded me of Dead Poets Society.
Penny T.
says
A very affecting movie - similar to 'Goodbye Mr Chips' and 'Mr Holland's Opus' in its uplifting message that good educators can get through to students. Julia Roberts was excellent.
Jodie C.
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Lehane D.
says
This movie was borring and had no real story line it was a waste of my time my time watching it.
Marlene L.
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Airlie M.
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Linda H
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Was great to see the rapport that ended up being between the teacher and the students. Overall, a good movie.
Marlene D.
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Diane B.
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Excellent movie,loved it
Pamela S.
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Penelope K.
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Nice easy film to watch, with the story line keeping me interested until the end.
Gregory S.
says
feel good movie
Joyce R.
says
Nothing fantastic; but worth watching if you are a Julia Roberts fan or want a girly movie.
Diane B.
says
Brilliant movie. Well acted and good storyline. Don't miss this one.
Bev M.
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Cathy K.
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Judy L.
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It's okay - interesting to see changes in what we expect - however also interesting to see one woman did not want to be pushed into further study but knew what she wanted was family instead!
Gladys A.
says
worth watching
Sarah-Jane B.
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Joanna P.
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JW
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Judith G.
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Louise J.
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nice.
Matt J.
says
Dead Poet's society set in the 50's with all female students and less swearing
Bruce R.
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Clare B.
says
sets itself up to be a feminist Dead Poet's Society but completely misses the point.
Julie T.
says
A great girl movie that shows breaking the mould is ok.
Sean D.
says
Thought Robert's performance was poor and predictable ending made it poorer. The only aspect that kept it going was the performance of Dunst who was a revelation.
Tracey Z.
says
Excellent movie.
Gloria H.
says
A must see movie, Julia Roberts another great performance
Bradley Y.
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Emily B.
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Bronya S.
says
It just goes to show how far women have come over time. This movie was well made, had a great cast, and it was refreshing to see something worth watching without violence or swearing in every scene.
Sherry E.
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Shayne P.
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Rebecca S.
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Richi M.
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Cathy N.
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Joanna
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Wendy L.
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for those who love a love story and those who love julia roberts. brilliant
Sue H.
says
A wonderful insight into the dated thinking of modern day "finishing schools" and the impact of free thinking teachers.
ACM
says
Very good chick flick, husband enjoyed it as well.
Roderick Wallace
says
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Karen Maher
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Nigel Rose
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Kelvin Aw-Yang
says
This movie turned out to be better than I had expected. It captured the tribulations of women in the post-war era very well. Julia Roberts played the part of the rebel teacher with a "clause" really well! It was funny and touching at the right places - it's one of those movies you warm up to the more you watch it.
Christine Halim
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Megan Riakos
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mja
says
Enjoyable if slightly predictable movie. I was expecting a female version of Dead Poets Society, this movie is however much more of a lightweight.
Thelma Tschappeller
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Robert Briggs
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Pam Burke
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Mariam Hegarty
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Luisa Emilii
says
I was pleasantly surprised this one. Beginning was a little slow but I was hooked by the end. Definately worth seeing.
Allison Carle
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AJC
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Kate Gibson
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Roger Merrell
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Ann Wilson
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Kathryn Ivey
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Jennifer Lever
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Susan Sams
says
Julia Roberts is excellent in this role. Makes you look at how far women have come over the years.
Lorene Johnson
says
Keith Goold
says
A very enjoyable movie with, for a change, no language, crime or sex.
Helen Louden
says
Anti climax ending
Matt Moran
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Tracey Mcpherson
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Mussy
says
Surprisingly good chick flick.
S Lewis
says
A little peep into the 1950's marriage market. Lots of moving moments with beautiful scenery. The Julia's are stunning.
Vicki Johnson
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Margaret Gillespie
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Megan Rushton
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Adele Stevens
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Janette Ferguson
says
Very enjoyable and thought provoking
Virginia
says
A bit slow to start with, then starts to get interesting. Great period costumes.
Not an intellectually stimulating movie; sit back and relax.
Michael Lonergan
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Fiona Lakta
says
Pleasant enough Roberts vehilce but cheesey ending
Ron
says
Not a fast moving or a little bit of fun movie that I associate Julia Roberts with, but it was entertaining and she does bring some warmth and spirit to her character as an art teacher of basically spoilt & elite teenage girls.
Paul Daley
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Debra Tierney
says
Julia Roberts is one of my favourite stars and once again does a great job with her character
Michelle Pearce
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Colin George
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Helen Kennedy
says
I enjoy anything with Julia Roberts, she makes you feel part of the story.
Sarah Konstantinou
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Keryn
says
Not much of a stunner. I wouldn't really bother if I were you.
Ruby Yap
says
Great feminist movie- great old time 50's songs.
Julie Kent
says
Barrie Beet
says
Well acted and holds interest.
Julie King
says
Very enjoyable movie. Julia Roberts excellent as usual.
Michele Chaseling
says
As always Julia Roberts' movies are of a high quality.
Susan Muller
says
Loved it!
Samantha Hoy
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Jenny Dodds
says
I thought the ending was a little disappointing, would have liked a stronger and more positive ending.
Paul Gornalle
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Mark Collard
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Jane Hadley
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Matthew Chester
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Tandy Ewing
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ma
says
Rather dreary and pointless melodrama with story and acting to match
the bakelite sets. Goodbye Mrs Chips.
Linda Sherlock
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Jennifer Mcgee
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Tracey Howe
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Desolie Goodacre
says
So true of the 50's.
James Price
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Effie Maniatis
says
Great movie with good meaning.
Ivonne Font
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Craig Hill
says
Female version of Dead Poets Society but don't let that stop you - excellent!
Arianna Martusciello
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Dale
says
A bit of a chick flick but a good one.
Miraa Best
says
Merrilyn Eyre
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Elisabeth Halasz
says
Lengthy, boring.
Eileen Ayre
says
Patricia Tsiatsias
says
Great 'chic' flick for DVD/Video.
Diana Strambio
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Grant Donnan
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Gaye Craze
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Fabio Menezes
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Renata Korot
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Chee Yow
says
Very pleasant family movie
Robin Catalano
says
More like a three and a half. Good chick flick.
Mei Khoo
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Mardella Bassett
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Suzanne Hume
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Lindsay Scholle
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Andrew Panyanouvong
says
Very intriguing, inspiring and uplifting. Not to be missed for any aspiring successful or astute women.
Baden Pascoe
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Sheridan Roche
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Cara O'shea
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Melissa
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Debra Jones
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Lisa Beckingham
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Chris
says
Nice Chick Flick.
Smita Kotur
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Gabrielle Ranaldi
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Vincent Galante
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Robert Jones
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Karen Pisano
says
Good to see that women have moved on.
Carmel Hoffmann
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Fabian Lorenzo
says
My girlfriend picked this, it certainly is a chick flick
Christine Moss
says
Good movie - definitely worth getting
David North
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Suzanne Wyer
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Elizabeth
says
Not a bad film but nothing outstanding. Julia Roberts is a cast in a role which we have become used to seeing so nothing new there. All in all a nice film to fill in a couple of hours.