Mona Lisa Smile Reviews

Fifties era relationship angst and Women's lib, Julia Roberts style. And all the horrors that implies.

50's America, a country in dire need of a missile crisis to shake thing up a bit. Into an cloyingly twee and pompous Wellesley College steps progressive Arts teacher Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) who immediately sets about trying to liberate her female students with notions of independence and various other well-meaning slogans with little regard as to whether her choir wants to be preached to or not. This social commentary quickly fades away from the canvas leaving a rather lacklustre relationship drama that's spread over too many characters none of which are painted in more than the shallowest of brushstrokes. Floundering around making the same points multiple times over it's needlessly lengthy two hours, this would be a reasonably enjoyable film thanks to solid support from Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ginnifer Goodwin were it about a half hour slimmer. As it stands the film serves little purpose, unless you want to see Kirsten Dunst play the least sympathetic and most irritating portrayal of a supposedly realistic character seen this year. Julia Roberts pouts her way through her usual routine, so if you're part of the increasingly slim band of people not sick of her then you'll no doubt love this, otherwise steer clear.

Don't be put off!

Before I decided to watch this film I checked out various reviews that labelled it as 'mundane', 'pro-feminist' and 'a chick-flick'. None of which exactly inspired me to watch it, but the quality cast intregued me enough to give it a go. On doing so I was pleasantly surprised to see that I would have been better off ignoring them. This is a good film, granted not a 'great' film, but a good film nonetheless. I hope that by me saying that it has a 'Dead Poets Society' type feel to it, you are not entirely put off. Its true that there have been hundreds of progressive-teacher-insires-pupils movies and its also true that this one doesn't really break the mould. However it has an underlying sense of nostalgia and in many ways contempt, for 1950s society, that offers an interesting perspective on the genre. Julia Roberts takes on the lead well with her usual casual skill and grace, whereas the supporting cast (including Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Julia Stiles) handle the script with ease and often even upstage her. Its especially interesting to see Kirsten Dunst play a character so far away from her likeable norm. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hours I spent with this film and would encourage anybody who enjoys a lighthearted social drama to give it a go. Don't let the pro-feminism chick-flick comments put you off, they're simply easy labels for a film with a majority female cast set in the oppressive 1950s. It may be pro-women's rights, but its no more feminist than Dead Poets Society is chauvinist.

[Highly rated reviewer]

How To Be Predictable And Mawkish

The lovely Julia Roberts plays once again a fairytale character along the lines of the prostitute she played in 'Pretty Woman'. And about as convincing.

If you liked 'Pretty Woman' and didn't find it offensively simple-minded, then you will probably enjoy this highly unlikely story of a committed art-history teacher in stuffy 50s Massachusetts (portrayed by Roberts extremely unconvincingly). Otherwise, avoid.

Julia Roberts at her very best

Mona lisa smile was an inspiring film set in the 50's america when women were not encouraged to juggle work and home making.

Julia Roberts plays a history of art teacher who wishes to change the attiude of young women in the college where she teaches.

It takes you on a journey about their individual struggles through a repressed time in American history.

Really sweet movie. Not a Julia Roberts classic, but enough in it to be entertaining and fun.

Female dead poets, but lacking

The premise of this film is a female 'Dead Poets' Society'. And unashamedly so. However, Julia Roberts cannot hope to compare to Robbin Williams.

Also, despite my liking the various young female actresses in many of their other roles, there is something wrong with their performances here. I feel it could be paucity of characterisation, but in a way Dunst is simply too convincing as a megabitch. Having seen all her other offerings, I feel that either this is the greatest performance of her career... or maybe the rest of the time she was performing, and this time she just played herself. hmm...

The writing also seriously undermines the plot. Dead Poets had guts, but Mona Lisa is a blancmange. Right in the middle, Roberts' character goes against everything she has been shown to believe in, and is made a fool of. It doesn't ring true.

Perhaps the best moment of the movie comes when the girls get to see an early Pollack first hand, but again, where Williams sold us literature, Roberts doesn't convey the magic of art.

Not a complete loss though. Carried by the likes of Gyllenhall, and the other unknown brunette who falls way down the billing, this is still a good night's entertainment.

Worth a Watch

Mona Lisas' Smile gave an interesting account of feminism in the 1950's.

Julia Robert's (who portrays Katherine Watson) sets about trying to educate the girls in more than just marriage. Her struggle against their attitudes and that of the school authority prove a real struggle but some headway is made.

The cast did a good job of adding weight to this film, but it didn't exactly set the screen alight.

Worth a watch on a Sunday afternoon.

Hugely enjoyable

A very conservative girls school employs a teacher who hasn't had a charisma bypass. The result is like the Japanese school system in so much as 'if a nail stands proud of the wood,it will eventually be hammered in', except Julia Roberts pulls out all the stops to promote change and a more modern attitude to life in the 50s/60s.

Very enjoyable, it will make you smile.

Enjoyable

Intelligent story, well acted and thoroughly enjoyable. Roberts does well and Gyllenhaal is terrific. Well made movie.

Chick flick

WARNING TO ALL BLOKES: This is very much a chick flick, and unless you count The Devine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood among your top 10 all time favourite movies and wept your way through Steel Magnolia's, then chances are you'll hate it, even if you do fancy Julia Roberts, Kirstin Dunst or Julia Stiles.

As a member of the female species, I found the film better than the critics gave it credit for, though I doubt I'd ever sit through it again. Very much a show case for Roberts, though she gives a fairly average performance. Dunst and Stiles are better; the standout for me though was Maggie Gyllenhaal, who's character's was more 3-dimensional than her stereotyped counterparts. So just a so-so from me, though my Mum loved it.