 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mona Lisa Smile
- Review Date: May 3, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Glossy entertainment value but far from art.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has very explicit sexual references for a PG-13 movie, including promiscuous characters, adultery, and discussion of birth control (which was illegal in the era portrayed in the movie). Characters drink, some get tipsy, and some abuse alcohol. Just about everyone smokes. Characters use strong language including an ugly anti-Semitic epithet. Strengths of the movie include its efforts to address the issues that would be raised by the feminists of the 1960s and its positive portrayal of a gay character who is accepted without prejudice (though dismissed from her position for other reasons).
What's the story?
Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) is an art history teacher who comes to Wellesley, "the most conservative college in the nation" in the very conservative 1950s. At first, Katherine is intimidated by the students. They have an easy mastery of the reading material and a "claws underneath their white gloves" ruthlessness in preserving the status quo, which means their status at the top of the social heap. Betty (Kirsten Dunst) is the most ruthless and acts as the leader of the girls. Katherine's other students include brainy Joan (Julia Stiles), plain and insecure Connie (Ginnifer Goodwin), and reckless Giselle (Maggie Gyllenhaal). In between their lessons on poise and how to entertain their future husbands' bosses, Katherine tries to teach them to question the conventional assumptions about art and about their dreams about the lives they want to lead. Confronted about her teaching methods, Katherine must examine her own dreams in order to teach her students the lesson she wants them to learn.
Is it any good?
In MONA LISA SMILE, a vibrant and independent-minded teacher shows her students a paint-by-numbers kit for a Van Gogh picture to show them the difference between art that is insightful and meaningful and mindless repetition of pretty images. The problem is that the movie has a paint-by-numbers script and little more to offer than pretty images. The result is glossy entertainment value that is a long way from art.
All of the actresses look wonderful in their elegant little hats, white gloves, twin-sets, tulle, and pearls. And teacher-student is one of the most reliably appealing relationships to portray in a movie. But there is no real insight or spirit in the movie and its dumbed-down portrayal of the post-WWII, pre-Betty Friedan era is particularly disappointing, limited to images of conformity like girls rowing crew and practicing synchronized swimming and a poster explaining the ladylike way to cross one's legs and references to the wish to return to the "normal" days before the war. Katherine's character is inconsistent to the point of being erratic, especially with regard to her own romantic involvement. Roberts is reduced to relying on movie star tricks like her "game girl" laugh and moist gaze to fill the gaps.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why each of the characters makes the choices that she does.
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AGE
very dissapointed
...that's pretty much it. i was dissapointed with this movie (but what's new? i'm dissapointed with the majority of what hollywood puts out these days!!)
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AGE
I didn't like this at all
The acting was great (especially by Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles), but the storyline was jumbled and confusing at times. With all of the smoking, drinking, and sexual references, I definitely don't think kids should see this.
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AGE
Good for teens and adults, not a family movie.
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AGE
ZZZZZZZZ! Huh? Oh sorry....
Mona Lisa Smile was a very dull movie. It was also a stareotype according to Wellsley Alumni who were in school that year, they say that wasn`t at all what was going on! Julia Roberts isn`t all that entertaining at all. Julia Stiles was very good. She was a very strong charactor. Overall, I have to say I would not see this movie again.
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AGE
It's not as bad as it seems
This is coming from a 14 year-old who is a little bit closer to this age group...
Kids learn about "the Birds and the Bees" when they are about 10 or so...right? (I learned it in 5th grade). The worst "sexual inappropriateness" is covered in that awkward speech that you give your child... There isn't even that much of it. Not to mention the powerful message included into this movie...
I'll admit that the 1950's sexism theme might be lost on your child, but I still think that this is a fantastic movie worth sharing to you whole family.
I think that it is time for parents to realize that their kid knows little bit more than they let on...
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AGE
Such a wonderful film!
I love it! This film is fantastic! The first time I rented it years ago I fell in love with it instantly & bought it soon thereafter. It has said to be a girl version of the Dead Poets Society movie, but not as meaningful. It's set in the 1950's and it has a very realistic, genuine feel throughout. The acting is superb and the chosen actors couldn't of been better! It's a film about finding yourself, making changes and going for what you love...not for what is expected of you. It has a lot of good messages throughout and great role models. It's a fun movie for probably older teens and up (tweens and teens don't seem to appreciate this movie, because they probably don't understand it's meaning). There's no violence, several discussions of sex and affairs but the content is not that strong like CommonSense suggests for some reason. Drinking & smoking is present. Language is pretty clean except for a few slips like @ss, d@mn, screwing (no "F" words that I remember) and whoever says this movie is bland, doesn't have much taste. This one is a gem!
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Mike Newell |
| Cast: | Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles, Kirsten Dunst |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 19, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | March 9, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content and thematic issues |
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