Mona Lisa Smile Review
Directed By
Mike Newell
Written By
Lawrence Konner & Mark Rosenthal
Produced By
Richard Barrata (co-producer)
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas (producer)
Joe Roth (executive producer)
Paul Schiff (producer)
Deborah Schindler (producer)
Original Music By
Rachel Portman
Cinematography By
Anastas N. Michos
Film Editing By
Mick Audsley
The Cast
Julia Roberts as Katherine Ann Watson
Marcia Gay Harden as Nancy Abbey
Ginnifer Goodwin as Connie Baker
Kirsten Dunst as Betty Warren
Juliet Stevenson as Amanda Armstrong
Julia Stiles as Joan Brandwyn
Dominic West as Bill Dunbar
Maggie Gyllenhaal as Giselle Levy
Summary Of The Movie
In Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts leads an all-star cast of prominent young actresses including Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal and newcomer Ginnifer Goodwin, in a story of women struggling to define themselves in a world that has already defined them.
Katherine Watson (Roberts) travels from California to the New England campus of Wellesley College, in the fall of 1953, to teach art history. In the post-war era, Katherine expects that her students, the best and the brightest in the country, will take advantage of the opportunities presented to them. Soon after her arrival, however, Katherine discovers that the environment at the prestigious institution is steeped in conformity. According to their poise and elocution, teacher Nancy Abbey (Marcia Gay Harden), an engagement ring on a young woman's finger is considered a bigger prize than a well-rounded education.
When Katherine encourages her students to think independently, she runs afoul of the more conservative faculty and alumni, including one of her students, the upper crust Betty Warren (Dunst). The recently married, Betty becomes a formidable adversary when Katherine persuades her best friend, Joan Brandwyn (Stiles), to apply to Yale Law School - even as Joan is awaiting a proposal of marriage from her boyfriend.
For the smart and
Mike Newell
Written By
Lawrence Konner & Mark Rosenthal
Produced By
Richard Barrata (co-producer)
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas (producer)
Joe Roth (executive producer)
Paul Schiff (producer)
Deborah Schindler (producer)
Original Music By
Rachel Portman
Cinematography By
Anastas N. Michos
Film Editing By
Mick Audsley
The Cast
Julia Roberts as Katherine Ann Watson
Marcia Gay Harden as Nancy Abbey
Ginnifer Goodwin as Connie Baker
Kirsten Dunst as Betty Warren
Juliet Stevenson as Amanda Armstrong
Julia Stiles as Joan Brandwyn
Dominic West as Bill Dunbar
Maggie Gyllenhaal as Giselle Levy
Summary Of The Movie
In Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts leads an all-star cast of prominent young actresses including Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal and newcomer Ginnifer Goodwin, in a story of women struggling to define themselves in a world that has already defined them.
Katherine Watson (Roberts) travels from California to the New England campus of Wellesley College, in the fall of 1953, to teach art history. In the post-war era, Katherine expects that her students, the best and the brightest in the country, will take advantage of the opportunities presented to them. Soon after her arrival, however, Katherine discovers that the environment at the prestigious institution is steeped in conformity. According to their poise and elocution, teacher Nancy Abbey (Marcia Gay Harden), an engagement ring on a young woman's finger is considered a bigger prize than a well-rounded education.
When Katherine encourages her students to think independently, she runs afoul of the more conservative faculty and alumni, including one of her students, the upper crust Betty Warren (Dunst). The recently married, Betty becomes a formidable adversary when Katherine persuades her best friend, Joan Brandwyn (Stiles), to apply to Yale Law School - even as Joan is awaiting a proposal of marriage from her boyfriend.
For the smart and