Mona Lisa Smile Synopsis & Summary

Synopsis

Set in 1953, Mona Lisa Smile tells the story of Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), a new young art history professor at Wellesley College, an all-female campus with a prestigious reputation for academic excellence. Unfortunately for free-minded Berkeley grad Watson, her East Coast teaching stint comes during a less-progressive time that finds most of her students -- among them Betty Warren (Kirsten Dunst), Joan Brandwyn (Julia Stiles), and Giselle Levy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) -- more interested in nabbing a good husband than achieving scholastic and intellectual growth. Watson challenges her students and the Wellesley faculty to think outside of the current mores of the community and redefine what it means to be a success; meanwhile, she tries to come to terms with her own heart's desires. Mona Lisa Smile co-stars Marcia Gay Harden, Juliet Stevenson, and, as Watson's conflicting love interests, Dominic West and John Slattery. - Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Movie Info

Starring:
Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Juliet Stevenson
Theatrical Release Date:
12/19/2003
DVD Release Date:
03/09/2004
Rating:
PG-13
MPAA Reasons:
for sexual content and thematic issues.
Run Time:
119 min.
Distributor(s):
Sony
Production Co.:
Columbia Pictures, Red Om Films, Revolution Studios, Shoelace Productions
Director(s):
Mike Newell
Genre(s):
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Themes:
College Life, Women's Friendship, Mentors, Questioning Gender Roles, Teachers and Students
Tone:
Bittersweet, Gentle, Heartwarming, Humorous, Nostalgic, Sentimental
Keywords:
art-history, campus, college, faculty, love-vs-career, professor, student, women's-issues
Country of Origin:
USA (12-19-2003)
Language:
English
Status:
DVD

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