Search - Mona Lisa Smile

Mona Lisa Smile

Actor(s): Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Juliet Stevenson
Director(s): Mike Newell
136

Details

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Sexual Situations, Suitable for Teens
Movie Release: 2003
DVD Release: 03/09/2004
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned
Audio Tracks: English, French
Subtitles: English, French
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 59 mins
Studio: Columbia TriStar
Total Copies: 140
Genres: Drama, Period Film, Feminist Film, Coming-of-Age
See Also: Mona Lisa Smile [Blu-ray]

Synopsis

Set in 1953, Mona Lisa Smile tells the story of Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), a new young art history professor at Wellesley College, an all-female campus with a prestigious reputation for academic excellence. Unfortunately for free-minded Berkeley grad Watson, her East Coast teaching stint comes during a less-progressive time that finds most of her students -- among them Betty Warren (Kirsten Dunst), Joan Brandwyn (Julia Stiles), and Giselle Levy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) -- more interested in nabbing a good husband than achieving scholastic and intellectual growth. Watson challenges her students and the Wellesley faculty to think outside of the current mores of the community and redefine what it means to be a success; meanwhile, she tries to come to terms with her own heart's desires. Mona Lisa Smile co-stars Marcia Gay Harden, Juliet Stevenson, and, as Watson's conflicting love interests, Dominic West and John Slattery. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Cast

Julia Roberts - Katherine Watson
Kirsten Dunst - Betty Warren
Julia Stiles - Joan Brandwyn
Maggie Gyllenhaal - Giselle Levy
Juliet Stevenson - Amanda Armstrong
Dominic West - Bill Dunbar
Marcia Gay Harden - Nancy Abbey

Awards

2003	Best Song (nominee)	Golden Globe	Elton John
2003	Best Song (nominee)	Golden Globe	Bernie Taupin

Editorial Review

Julia Roberts stars as a college professor struggling to open the minds of her students in this drama, which has been given a well-executed presentation on DVD. Mona Lisa Smile has been transferred to disc in letterboxed format at its original widescreen aspect ratio; it has also been enhanced for anamorphic playback on 16 x 9 monitors. The original English-language audio track has been mastered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while a French dubbed version appears in Dolby Digital Stereo; optional subtitles in English and French are also included. Bonus materials include a commentary track from director Mike Newell, short features on how the college experience and the attitudes of most women have changed since 1953 (the year in which the film is set), a look at the art discussed in the film, a music video from Elton John, and the film's original trailer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Member Reviews

Marian L. wrote on 11/28/2008...

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

An interesting movie re the 1950's images; Julia Roberts great as usual

Gladys E. - SWANNANOA, NC wrote on 9/23/2008...

Julia Roberts & Kirsted Dunst are always entertaining and putting them together makes a great movie that will keep your attention.

DVDs Similar to "Mona Lisa Smile"

(Green links represent titles currently available on SwapaDVD.)

These movies are similar to Mona Lisa Smile...

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (PG)

Dead Poets Society (PG)

Mr. Holland's Opus (PG)

The Emperor's Club [Fullscreen] (PG-13)

Lost and Delirious (R)

All I Wanna Do (PG-13)

Scent of a Woman (R)

To Sir, With Love (NR)

Finding Forrester (PG-13)