5.3
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Overview
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 Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students, including Betty and Joan, to challenge the lives they are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.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Christianity: Negative
Viewer Rating
5.3
Overview
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 Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students, including Betty and Joan, to challenge the lives they are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.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film's central conflict critiques the restrictive traditional gender roles of the 1950s, advocating for women's intellectual independence and self-determination, which aligns with progressive values.
The movie features traditional casting, with a predominantly white main cast that reflects its 1950s setting. However, its narrative centrally and explicitly critiques traditional gender roles and societal expectations for women, advocating for female empowerment and challenging patriarchal norms.
Secondary
The film critiques the conservative societal expectations and gender roles prevalent in 1950s America, which were often deeply intertwined with traditional Christian values. It portrays these norms, and the institutions/adherents upholding them, as oppressive to women's intellectual and personal freedom, advocating for a more progressive and independent path.
Mona Lisa Smile does not feature any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The story centers on a progressive art history professor challenging traditional gender roles and expectations for women at a 1950s college, without addressing queer identities or experiences.
Mona Lisa Smile is a period drama set in 1953 at Wellesley College, focusing on women's education and societal roles. The film's narrative does not include any identifiable transsexual characters or explore transgender themes, resulting in no depiction.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Mona Lisa Smile features an original screenplay with characters created specifically for the film. There are no pre-existing canonical or historical figures whose gender was altered for this movie.
Mona Lisa Smile is an original screenplay, not an adaptation of existing material or a biopic of historical figures. The characters were created for this film, meaning there is no prior canonical or historical race to be altered.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.6
6.9
Critic Ratings
3.3
4.5
More Like This
Leans Progressive
6.7
The New World
(2005)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.5
Queen Christina
(1934)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Center
7.8
The King and I
(1956)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Low
Progressive
7.0
Bulworth
(1998)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
6.7
Carmen Jones
(1954)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
7.2
Coming Home
(1978)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
6.9
Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her
(2000)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
6.5
Away We Go
(2009)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
6.8
Yentl
(1983)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
7.1
The Idea of You
(2024)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
7.9
Stormy Weather
(1943)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Center
6.8
Sweet Charity
(1969)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.8
The Last of the Mohicans
(1992)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
7.2
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
(1967)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
6.8
The Merchant of Venice
(2004)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
7.7
She Said
(2022)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
7.5
Sylvie's Love
(2020)
Political: Center
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
6.6
The History of Sound
(2025)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
8.1
Cabaret
(1972)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
7.5
Gorillas in the Mist
(1988)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate