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 She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores f...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 She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores for women.Katherine Watson teaches art history in 1953 at the respectable all-female Wellesley College. She encourages her conservative students to question and disregard the outdated societal mores for women.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
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaPrior to the film's premiere, the producers held a special presentation of the film for Wellesley alumnae who had graduated in 1954. However, this publicity stunt back-fired when the graduates ridiculed the film as historically inaccurate. Among the many complaints voiced by the graduates: No one wore pearls, earrings or girdles to classes. Instead, students wore jeans and sweatshirts. No instructor ever encouraged them to marry or to be submissive. In fact, students were renowned for knitting in class and having food-fights in the corridors.
- GoofsA scene depicts a teacher of ''poise and elocution'' explaining to Wellesley students how to set and seat a table to further the careers of their future husbands. No such "poise and elocution'' classes were ever given at Wellesley.
- 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
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
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