Review: 'Mona Lisa Smile' Is Picture Perfect
Outstanding Performances Give Movie Shine, Polish
POSTED: 11:38 am EST December 19, 2003
'Mona Lisa Smile' (PG-13) 
(out of four popcorns)Call it the female version of the "Dead Poet's Society." Julia Roberts, in her first starring role since winning the Academy Award in 2000 for "Erin Brokovich," is both a producer and star of the new film "Mona Lisa Smile." She plays Katherine Watson, a freewheeling art teacher at a New England women's college, circa 1953. With a suitcase full of ideas and a notion that Wellesley would offer her the chance to meet young women with visions of careers and aspirations, Watson looks forward to her transition from UC Berkeley bohemian to Ivy League professor.But what she finds is a finishing school where the art of caring for a husband and family is more important to the curriculum than the art of Pollock and Picasso.As producer of the film with her company Red Om Films (that's her married name, Moder, spelled backward), Roberts had a hand in selecting and surrounding herself with some of the brightest young actresses in Hollywood to star in the supporting roles.Julia Stiles puts blue blood into overdrive for the character of Joan Brandwyn. She's torn between following the path set out for her, i.e. marriage, family, or putting her Wellesley education to use. She wants to be a lawyer and, of course, has more than the full support of Watson.Kirsten Dunst relishes playing society girl Betty, who flexes her alumni mother's muscles to see that Watson is firmly put in her place.Maggie Gyllenhaal is a scene-stealer, playing the provocateur, Giselle, who has her eye firmly fixed on Italian teacher Bill Dunbar (Dominic West).Ginnifer Goodwin (of the NBC series "Ed") holds her own as the wallflower who hopes to nab a man of her own.And Marcia Gay Harden – the busiest supporting actress in show biz history – brings depth to some of the otherwise one-dimensional characters at the stuffy school. She's the etiquette teacher whose character has been molded by the conservative walls that fill her life.While the plot is nothing new, a fish-out-of-water faces opposition in her new surroundings, the movie works because of the performances of the strong cast.Director Mike Newell said he watched "The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie," the 1969 Maggie Smith vehicle about a teacher in 1930s Edinburgh, Scotland, to get him in the right frame of mind for "Mona Lisa Smile."Behind the scenes, Danny Moder, Roberts' husband of 1½ years was behind the scenes as a director of photography.Roberts said she didn't base the character on one person, but that she's "known a lot of people like her."What drew Roberts to Watson, she says, was her energy and dedication. What will draw audiences to Watson is Roberts' own Mona Lisa smile that lights up the big screen."Mona Lisa Smile" is pure artistry and Roberts is priceless.
(out of four popcorns)Call it the female version of the "Dead Poet's Society." Julia Roberts, in her first starring role since winning the Academy Award in 2000 for "Erin Brokovich," is both a producer and star of the new film "Mona Lisa Smile." She plays Katherine Watson, a freewheeling art teacher at a New England women's college, circa 1953. With a suitcase full of ideas and a notion that Wellesley would offer her the chance to meet young women with visions of careers and aspirations, Watson looks forward to her transition from UC Berkeley bohemian to Ivy League professor.But what she finds is a finishing school where the art of caring for a husband and family is more important to the curriculum than the art of Pollock and Picasso.As producer of the film with her company Red Om Films (that's her married name, Moder, spelled backward), Roberts had a hand in selecting and surrounding herself with some of the brightest young actresses in Hollywood to star in the supporting roles.Julia Stiles puts blue blood into overdrive for the character of Joan Brandwyn. She's torn between following the path set out for her, i.e. marriage, family, or putting her Wellesley education to use. She wants to be a lawyer and, of course, has more than the full support of Watson.Kirsten Dunst relishes playing society girl Betty, who flexes her alumni mother's muscles to see that Watson is firmly put in her place.Maggie Gyllenhaal is a scene-stealer, playing the provocateur, Giselle, who has her eye firmly fixed on Italian teacher Bill Dunbar (Dominic West).Ginnifer Goodwin (of the NBC series "Ed") holds her own as the wallflower who hopes to nab a man of her own.And Marcia Gay Harden – the busiest supporting actress in show biz history – brings depth to some of the otherwise one-dimensional characters at the stuffy school. She's the etiquette teacher whose character has been molded by the conservative walls that fill her life.While the plot is nothing new, a fish-out-of-water faces opposition in her new surroundings, the movie works because of the performances of the strong cast.Director Mike Newell said he watched "The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie," the 1969 Maggie Smith vehicle about a teacher in 1930s Edinburgh, Scotland, to get him in the right frame of mind for "Mona Lisa Smile."Behind the scenes, Danny Moder, Roberts' husband of 1½ years was behind the scenes as a director of photography.Roberts said she didn't base the character on one person, but that she's "known a lot of people like her."What drew Roberts to Watson, she says, was her energy and dedication. What will draw audiences to Watson is Roberts' own Mona Lisa smile that lights up the big screen."Mona Lisa Smile" is pure artistry and Roberts is priceless.Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
