Mona Lisa Smile

Main Plot

"Mona Lisa Smile," directed by Mike Newell, is set in the 1950s at Wellesley College, a prestigious women's institution. The film follows an art history professor who challenges the traditional roles and expectations imposed on women during this era. She encourages her students to pursue their own dreams and ambitions beyond societal norms of marriage and domesticity. The narrative unfolds as the professor introduces progressive ideas through her unconventional teaching methods, sparking both admiration and resistance among the students and faculty. Her lessons extend beyond art, prompting the young women to question their futures and the limited paths available to them. The film explores themes of feminism, empowerment, and the struggle between tradition and modernity. Throughout the story, the professor's influence leads to personal growth and self-discovery among the students, who begin to reevaluate their life choices. The film highlights the tension between conforming to societal expectations and seeking personal fulfillment. It ultimately underscores the importance of education and critical thinking in shaping one's identity and future. The narrative is a poignant reflection on the evolving roles of women and the courage required to challenge the status quo.

Characters

• Julia Roberts plays Katherine Watson, an art history professor who challenges her students to question societal norms and pursue independent thinking at a conservative women's college.
• Kirsten Dunst plays Betty Warren, a traditional student who initially opposes progressive ideas but eventually questions societal expectations and embraces change.
• Joan Brandwyn, played by Julia Stiles, is a student who grapples with societal expectations, ultimately choosing marriage over a law career, highlighting the film's theme of women's roles.

Ending Explained

In the final scenes of the film, Katherine Watson, an art history professor at Wellesley College in the 1950s, faces the culmination of her efforts to inspire her students to pursue independent thought and challenge societal norms. Despite resistance from the conservative institution and its community, Katherine's influence is evident in the personal growth of her students. Joan Brandwyn, initially set on a traditional path of marriage, decides to apply to Yale Law School, inspired by Katherine's encouragement to follow her ambitions. However, she ultimately chooses to embrace her role as a wife, illustrating the complex choices women face between personal aspirations and societal expectations. Betty Warren, who initially opposes Katherine's progressive views, undergoes significant transformation. After confronting the reality of her unhappy marriage, she writes a newspaper editorial praising Katherine's impact and decides to pursue a divorce, symbolizing her newfound independence. Katherine's contract is not renewed, but she leaves Wellesley with a sense of accomplishment, having planted seeds of change. As she departs, her students, led by Betty, chase her car on bicycles, a gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment of her profound influence. This ending underscores the theme of empowerment and the enduring impact of challenging the status quo.