December 19, 2003
Mona Lisa Smile is a 2003 American drama film produced by Revolution Studios and Columbia Pictures in association with Red Om Films Productions, directed by Mike Newell, written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal, and starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
The title is a reference to the Mona Lisa, the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, and to the song of the same name, originally performed by Nat King Cole, which was covered by Seal for the film. Julia Roberts received a record $25 million for her performance, the highest ever earned by an actress at that time.
Storyline
In 1953, 30-year-old Katherine Ann Watson accepts an Art History teaching position at Wellesley College. She quickly discovers her students have memorized the entire textbook and syllabus, so she introduces modern art and encourages discussion about what art is. Katherine also challenges her students to achieve more in life than marriage.
Outspoken conservative Betty Warren writes editorials for the college paper, and insists that a universal standard exists for what is good art. She attacks Katherine for advocating that women seek careers in addition to marriage and exposes campus nurse and lesbian Amanda Armstrong for supplying contraception to students, resulting in her termination.
Betty is eager to marry her fiancé Spencer and expects the traditional married-student exemptions; however, Katherine insists she will grade her based on merit and expects her to complete all assignments and tests. When Betty's married life does not go smoothly, she begins taking out her frustrations on the other girls, particularly Connie and Giselle.
Betty often ridicules Connie Baker and insists her cousin, Charlie, is taking Connie to her wedding reception only as a favor. Connie is surprised when he expresses genuine interest in her, and they begin dating. Connie breaks things off after Betty claims Charlie is actually dating Deb, the daughter of the couple Charlie had avoided while they were on holiday. Betty claims Connie is just a casual fling Charlie was trying to hide.
Weeks later, Connie and Charlie reconnect with him insisting he had stopped seeing Deb the previous summer and only began dating his current girlfriend after Connie stopped seeing him. Connie tearfully confronts Betty for lying and being hurtful, asking why Betty could not let her be happy. Later, Connie breaks into Charlie's dorm to ask for another chance, and they rekindle their relationship.
Joan Brandwyn considers studying law at Yale Law School, so Katherine encourages her to apply. Although accepted, Joan declines admission to instead elope with Tom Donegal. When Joan tells Katherine it is what she truly wants, Katherine offers congratulations and wishes her happiness.
Giselle Levy is liberal about sex and has had several lovers, including Wellesley Italian professor, Bill Dunbar. She moves on from him when he and Katherine begin dating. Giselle admires Katherine for encouraging students' independence. She earns Betty's enmity as her (Betty's) marriage falls apart.
Katherine's California boyfriend Paul unexpectedly visits and proposes, but Katherine declines and they break up. She begins dating Bill Dunbar, who often recounts stories about his war service in Italy. Bill has had affairs with students, including Giselle, so Katherine insists he stop. Upon learning Bill never served in Italy and was only stationed at the Army Languages Center on Long Island, Katherine ends the relationship.
Betty's marriage falls apart after Spencer has an affair. Betty leaves him but her mother demands she forgive him. She confronts Giselle in her dorm, at first attacking her for being promiscuous, then breaking down. Giselle is the only student who knows about Spencer's infidelity and comforts Betty.
Betty regrets maligning Katherine in her editorials. Eventually, Betty files for divorce, and she and Giselle plan to find an apartment in Greenwich Village. When Betty's mother confronts her at graduation, Betty chastises her and credits Katherine as being the only one who supported her, vowing to live her own life.
Despite disapproving of Katherine's progressive teaching methods, Wellesley administrators invite her to return the following year as her course is extremely popular, but only under strict conditions. Katherine refuses and resigns. Betty dedicates her last editorial to her, admiring her for living by example and challenging them to see the world through new eyes. As Katherine leaves in a taxi, the students follow on their bikes to say goodbye.
Movie Trailer
- Mona Lisa Smile (2003) (Trailers)