Mona Lisa Smile

When the young, but rough, Betty Warren begins to narrate the life trajectory of Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts) and her old desire to join the faculty of the conservative Wellesley College, it is clear that her stay there will not be easy. Owner of an intelligence considered advanced for the time she was in, but without much money, Katherine really wanted to change the world (or at least part of it), starting with high school. The film, which takes place in the 1950s, shows that women at that time were considered nothing more than simple housewives and should be examples of wives not only for their husbands but also for the eyes of society as a whole. And that was the function of the Wellesley College: to train perfect women. Second, contrary to what Katherine thought, all, or at least most of the girls who studied there thought that being like that, submissive to their husbands, was the best path to be followed by any woman who wanted to be treated with respect. Independence? Free will? No no. What they learned beyond the many rules of etiquette should be swept under the rug as soon as they got married.

But the film does not focus only on the revolutionary teacher, but on a group of four friends who are so different that at times their relationships are not the happiest. We can follow the trajectories of some of these students. Betty Warren (Kirsten Dunst) initially adheres to society's traditional expectations and has a narrow view of the role of women at the time. She aspires to a conventional marriage and a traditional home life. However, as the story unfolds, Betty undergoes a transformation and begins to question her own beliefs and desires, thanks to Katherine's influence and the discoveries she makes about herself; Joan Brandwyn (Julia Stiles) is a talented and ambitious student at Wellesley who dreams of becoming a lawyer. She faces challenges as social and family expectations pressure her to marry and follow a more conventional path. Joan is inspired by Katherine's attitude and her quest for independence, which encourages her to follow her own dreams and challenge established conventions; Giselle Levy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is an outgoing and daring student who openly defies social and academic norms. She is a rebellious figure, facing punishment and judgment for her "inappropriate" behavior. Giselle sees Katherine as a mentor and support figure who encourages her to embrace her authenticity and explore her non-standard interests; Connie Baker (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a shy and insecure young woman struggling to find her own voice. She is influenced by Katherine to overcome her lack of confidence and believe in her intellectual abilities. Throughout the film, Connie gains courage to voice her opinions and realizes her potential as a student and woman.

With the end of the War and the return of men to their "pre-established places" socially, a new campaign begins for women to return to their "place" in society, the home. But things weren't the same anymore and neither were women. Some wanted to continue working and already harbored ideas of independence, the speeches convincing them to return home and dedicate themselves to marriage were not efficient for all. For this reason, a campaign was started in favor of marriage and motherhood as a "true female vocation". Some more libertarian means of the media or women preached the possibility of reconciling marriage with a career, which for middle-class women, raised and educated in the best schools, seemed an insult. The 1950s, in addition to printing these discourses about a "feminine essence" focused on home and motherhood, which are against the remnants of the so-called "first wave" of feminism, which began in the 19th century and lasted until the beginning of the In the 20th century (according to some historians) the tensions that took place in that decade point to the perception of how the liberation discourses of women from patriarchy, on the one hand, and the moral appeal of institutions to their "submissive nature" on the other, make the "second wave" of feminism comes with new reflections and discourses for "women", such as their insertion in politics.

"Mona Lisa Smile" also touches on a variety of relevant and complex themes that reflect the society of the time and are still relevant today. Here are some of the main themes explored in the film: Role of Women in Society: A central theme of the film is the role of women in 1950s society. The story takes place in an all-female educational institution where traditional expectations for women were predominantly oriented toward marriage and motherhood. The film questions these social norms, featuring female characters who want more than just to fit these expectations, seeking their own identity and personal fulfillment; Education and Empowerment: The transformative power of education is a central theme in the film. Katherine Watson's character, as an art history professor, seeks to challenge and inspire her students to think critically, question established norms, and pursue a life of authenticity and purpose. Through knowledge and questioning, students are encouraged to find their own voices and become independent and empowered women.

The issue of Conformity and Rebellion is also addressed: The film explores the balance between social conformity and individual rebelliousness. The characters face the challenge of fitting into society's expectations, while at the same time wanting to follow their own paths. They must deal with the inner conflict between the desire to conform and the need to express their individuality and follow their own dreams; Sexuality and Freedom: The theme of sexuality is approached in a subtle but significant way in the film. Some characters question the idea that marriage is the only acceptable way to express female sexuality. They explore their own passions and desires, challenging society's conservative expectations and seeking a sexually satisfying and authentic life; Ambition and Autonomy: The film also explores the quest for personal ambition and women's struggle for autonomy and professional fulfillment. The characters face the dilemma of balancing their personal ambitions with social and family pressures. They face obstacles and challenges in pursuing their individual careers and desires, but find the strength and determination to persevere and fight for their own achievements.

At one point, while showing his second class, he puts on a work of art considered grotesque by one of the students. When questioned, she replies, "No, it's not! Is it not a good work? Hmm? Come on girls, there are no books telling you what to think, so it's not that easy, correct? Still in this dialogue, the student confronts the teacher, pointing out that "art is only art until the right people say it is". Excited by the challenging debate, the teacher responds: "And who are these people?". The scene described above is perhaps one of the best in the film with regard to the didactic aspects of the work. Another striking scene is in the section in which the students move to the studio to carry out a workshop with Van Gogh's works in boxes. The teacher talks about the possibility of popularizing art with the process of technical reproducibility.

In the technical aspects, what really deserves a special mention is Mike Newell's impeccable direction. He manages to give new life to a real story, which is the way women were seen. Anastas N. Michos' cinematography plays a key role in creating the film's atmosphere. Colors are carefully chosen to convey a sense of a specific era, with a cooler palette and muted tones, underscoring the melancholy, conservative atmosphere of the 1950s. Lighting is also used effectively to create contrast and emphasize the characters' emotions, as in the scenes where Katherine is teaching her students, where the light focuses on her, highlighting her presence and authority. The work of production and art direction, led by Jeannine Oppewall and Andrew M. Stearn, is exceptional. The sets and costumes are detailed and authentic, accurately recreating the environments of the era. Locations, such as Wellesley College and the interiors of the houses, are richly decorated and help to contextualize the story and characters. The production design contributes to the public's immersion in the portrayed period, with attention to the smallest details, from furniture to scene props.

The costumes created by Catherine Marie Thomas are elegant and accurately represent the style of the period. The female characters' clothing reflects the norms and expectations of 1950s society, with elegant dresses, skirts and classic hairstyles. The costumes also help convey the characters' transformations throughout the film, reflecting their internal changes and their search for authenticity. Mick Audsley's editing is deft in creating a fluid and coherent rhythm. The transition between scenes is smooth and the montage is well balanced, allowing the story to unfold cohesively. And Rachel Portman's score perfectly complements the film's emotional tone. Composed of delicate and melodic pieces, the music emphasizes the most emotional scenes and highlights the personal journey of the characters. The soundtrack contributes to the romantic and melancholy atmosphere of the film, accentuating the emotions and conflicts of the characters.

The film's maxim lies in the problem it addresses and the message it conveys, which were demonstrated with great care in all aspects; Dunst's character asks a good question, giving the example of the Mona Lisa, "she's smiling, but is she happy? ". In addition, we have a very exciting ending that runs away from any clichés. "Mona Lisa Smile" can be appreciated by all those who have the slightest interest in knowing what it was like at the time when only the male voice was heard, or who would like to appreciate good performances.