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Mona Lisa Smile
- Review Date: May 3, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Glossy entertainment value but far from art.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has very explicit sexual references for a PG-13 movie, including promiscuous characters, adultery, and discussion of birth control (which was illegal in the era portrayed in the movie). Characters drink, some get tipsy, and some abuse alcohol. Just about everyone smokes. Characters use strong language including an ugly anti-Semitic epithet. Strengths of the movie include its efforts to address the issues that would be raised by the feminists of the 1960s and its positive portrayal of a gay character who is accepted without prejudice (though dismissed from her position for other reasons).
Most useful reviews by all members
Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
ZZZZZZZZ! Huh? Oh sorry....
Mona Lisa Smile was a very dull movie. It was also a stareotype according to Wellsley Alumni who were in school that year, they say that wasn`t at all what was going on! Julia Roberts isn`t all that entertaining at all. Julia Stiles was very good. She was a very strong charactor. Overall, I have to say I would not see this movie again.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
I didn't like this at all
The acting was great (especially by Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles), but the storyline was jumbled and confusing at times. With all of the smoking, drinking, and sexual references, I definitely don't think kids should see this.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
very dissapointed
...that's pretty much it. i was dissapointed with this movie (but what's new? i'm dissapointed with the majority of what hollywood puts out these days!!)
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Adult
April 9, 2008
Good for teens and adults, not a family movie.
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Teen, 14 years old
July 22, 2011
It's not as bad as it seems
This is coming from a 14 year-old who is a little bit closer to this age group...
Kids learn about "the Birds and the Bees" when they are about 10 or so...right? (I learned it in 5th grade). The worst "sexual inappropriateness" is covered in that awkward speech that you give your child... There isn't even that much of it. Not to mention the powerful message included into this movie...
I'll admit that the 1950's sexism theme might be lost on your child, but I still think that this is a fantastic movie worth sharing to you whole family.
I think that it is time for parents to realize that their kid knows little bit more than they let on...
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Adult
May 25, 2012
Such a wonderful film!
I love it! This film is fantastic! The first time I rented it years ago I fell in love with it instantly & bought it soon thereafter. It has said to be a girl version of the Dead Poets Society movie, but not as meaningful. It's set in the 1950's and it has a very realistic, genuine feel throughout. The acting is superb and the chosen actors couldn't of been better! It's a film about finding yourself, making changes and going for what you love...not for what is expected of you. It has a lot of good messages throughout and great role models. It's a fun movie for probably older teens and up (tweens and teens don't seem to appreciate this movie, because they probably don't understand it's meaning). There's no violence, several discussions of sex and affairs but the content is not that strong like CommonSense suggests for some reason. Drinking & smoking is present. Language is pretty clean except for a few slips like @ss, d@mn, screwing (no "F" words that I remember) and whoever says this movie is bland, doesn't have much taste. This one is a gem!
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Teen, 13 years old
December 30, 2012
Good acting, bad message.
This movie was...typical in the sense that young, educated females are tossing out the old ways (Better ways)! and becoming independent and self-centered. Yes, the acting was exemplary but the message was very, "real women don't need men." I think that parents should pause and think, "Is this movie telling my child good values?" In my opinion it does not.
The media today is telling young girls that having relations before marriage is alright, which this movie clearly represents. The world needs more movie that are wholesome, yet fun. We need to get back to the days where girls had grace, poise, and propriety
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