While its studio clearly had its hopes pinned on it as potent counterprogramming to Lord of the Rings , Mona Lisa Smile opened here to lackluster box office and harsh reviews. Clearly unconcerned about perpetuating the stereotypes the film ostensibly tries to rebuke, studio executives attributed this poor showing to the fact that most women were probably out shopping for the holidays. As for the critics, the main complaint seemed to be that the film is far too conventional and convoluted in its ideas to make any kind of statement about feminism, '50s-style or otherwise.
The plot is fairly simple; indeed, one can almost imagine the writers pitching the idea to the studio as sort of a Dead Poets Society lite. Roberts plays Katherine Watson, a free-spirited art history professor who arrives at uptight, 1950s Wellesley with the idea of shaking up its affluent, complacent body of female students. Although most of the girls embrace her nonconformist notions, she encounters less enthusiasm from the board of trustees and an unhappy student named Betty (Kirsten Dunst). Along the way, several views of female identity are put forth, and the students are inevitably touched by Watson's role in their life.
Given all this, if one decides to enter the theater willing to toss the movie's muddled messages aside, a good time can indeed be had. Mona Lisa Smile is, at its core, a Julia Roberts movie. And while those who can't stand Ms. Roberts are advised to stay away, those who enjoy her often-mediocre movies despite themselves will find some diversion here. The movie's main asset, however, is not Julia Roberts, but rather some of the promising young cast members that surround her. Maggie Gyllenhaal turns in what is probably the film's best performance as Giselle Levy, a confident young woman who refuses to apologize for her sexuality. Gyllenhaal is followed closely by Ginnifer Goodwin as Connie, a financial aid student at sea among the wealthy beauties that surround her. Despite a small role, Topher Grace nevertheless gives us further proof that he is ready to live up to his recent anointment by Entertainment Weekly as the next Tom Hanks (I mean that as a compliment).
On the other end of the spectrum, Marcia Gay Harden, who turned in an excellent, moving performance in Mystic River , is largely wasted here in a one-note role as an unhappy spinster. Julia Stiles, who seems like a gifted actress but has difficulty finding roles suited to her talents, also comes across as somewhat stiff and one-dimensional as Joan, a would-be law student. That said, Mona Lisa Smile doesn't exactly leave much room for complex, multi-shaded performances or plotlines.
Copyright © Beth Gilligan 2002-2005
Rating:
0.0 / 5
(0 votes)
|
4979 views
|
Previous
|
Next
|
Best prices on Mona Lisa Smile
|
Print
|
Email page