Mona Lisa Smile

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Mona Lisa Smile

PG-13

2003

1h 57m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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 Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles)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

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.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

12/20/2017

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

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/26/2010

3/5

Glossy entertainment value but far from art.

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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."

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Film Threat

12/06/2005

2/5

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Tavo D

@Tavo-Pavo 2d

What makes Mona Lisa Smile especially memorable is its emphasis on empowerment through education and self-confidence. It reminds viewers that success and fulfillment look different for everyone, and that true growth often comes from questioning what we’ve been taught to accept. Overall, Mona Lisa Smile is a meaningful, uplifting film that encourages reflection, independence, and the pursuit of one’s own voice.

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Apoorva

@Apoorva Jan 30

Only thing hurt me; She, who chose Bill over Paul is educating other girls about life expectancy, future & smartness is LOL.

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Ignacio L.

@IggyLikeIggyPop Jan 25

Holy cannoli this was slow and uneventful.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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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: 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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