Mona Lisa Smile

Mona Lisa Smile

They had everything. She showed them more.

Directed by Mike Newell

Produced by Revolution Studios, Red Om Films

2003117 min6.9 / 10

An inspirational period drama about a progressive teacher awakening her students to feminist consciousness and personal agency in 1950s America.

Katherine Watson is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students, including Betty and Joan, to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.

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Questions people ask

  • Is Mona Lisa Smile violent? Barely. Less violent than 86% of films.

  • Does Mona Lisa Smile end with hope? Yes. More hopeful than 85% of films.

  • Is Mona Lisa Smile scary? Barely. Less frightening than 84% of films.

  • Is Mona Lisa Smile easy watching? Yes. More comforting than 82% of films.

  • Is Mona Lisa Smile sad? Not especially. Less sad than 59% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

Written about

44/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity35

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise34

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love65

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Mona Lisa Smile, and what each one shares →

Like Mona Lisa Smile

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Mona Lisa Smile

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Mona Lisa Smile, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Mona Lisa Smile, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Mona Lisa Smile, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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