Katherine Watson teaches art history in 1953 at the respectable all-female Wellesley College. She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores f... Read allKatherine Watson teaches art history in 1953 at the respectable all-female Wellesley College. She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores for women.Katherine Watson teaches art history in 1953 at the respectable all-female Wellesley College. She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores for women.
- Awards
- 6 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
But...
"The devil is in the details," as they say, and this picture has just enough surprises, just enough charm, just enough fine acting to make it worth watching. Movies do not have to be real to be worthwhile, they just have to be about real things. The questions "Mona Lisa Smile" covers are still very much with us, and may provoke considerable discussion in your house. This film is respectful enough of its subject matter and well-enough executed to make it a much better way to spend your time than most of what's out there now. Don't believe the sourpusses, this one's a good'un.
- tonstant viewer
- Jun 14, 2004
- Permalink
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn order to prepare for their roles, the leads were all put through a finishing school two weeks prior to filming. However, in contrast to the film's depiction, Wellesley College was never a finishing school. It was a private women's liberal arts college which emphasized social activism.
- GoofsAt the wedding, champagne is served in flute glasses. They were rarely used until the 1970s, when drier vintages became preferred. In the 1950s, champagne was served in champagne coupe (or saucer) glasses. They are still used in champagne fountains at weddings.
- Quotes
Betty Warren: [Narrating] My teacher, Katherine Watson, lived by her own definition, and would not compromise that. Not even for *Wellesley*. I dedicate this, my last editorial, to an extraordinary woman who lived by example and compelled us all to see the world through new eyes. By the time you read this, she'll be sailing to Europe, where I know she'll find new walls to break down and new ideas to replace them with. I've heard her called a quitter for leaving, an aimless wanderer. But not all who wander are aimless, especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition, beyond definition, beyond the image.
- Crazy creditsThe end credits for the prominent cast and crew are set in front of vintage footage and advertisements showing women in the 1940s and '50s.
- SoundtracksLift Thine Eyes
from "Elijah"
Written by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Wellesley College Chamber Singers
Lisa Graham Conductor
Under license from Wellesley College Chamber Singers
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- La sonrisa de Mona Lisa
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $65,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $63,860,942
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $11,528,498
- Dec 21, 2003
- Gross worldwide
- $141,337,989
- Runtime1 hour 57 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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