Mona Lisa Smile...

[Ribbit]

I've watched a lot of films recently, and it's struck me that a lot of them are badly directed, have no story line, and the actors don't have a lot to work with. But "Mona Lisa Smile" isn't one of those films.

We watched it last night, and it was excellent. Julia Roberts did a brilliant job, and the supporting cast was also excellent. After watching the film I started to think about the change in attitude towards women since the fifties... or in some cases the lack of change. It also made me think about the step backwards women had taken after the war. They'd taken jobs to keep the country going while their men were away at war, and yet the period in which this film is set sees them back in the kitchen... they were back to girdles and baking, devoting their lives to keeping a man happy. Since the fifties women have been encouraged to have careers, but only up to a point, and not at the expense of a husband and family. Look at portrayals of strong career women on TV... women who rise to the top of their profession are portrayed as failures when it comes to relationships with men. Men who work all hours and neglect their families are good providers. I ended up wondering what had really changed... aren't we still facing the same battles... just to a lesser degree? Right, I'll step down off my soapbox. Basically, this film made me think.

I think it's one to watch. :thumbs:

ribbit :curly:

[Eeyore]

I saw this when it came out at the cinema and I thought it was fabulous. :)

Julia Roberts was excellent but I thought that Julia Stiles and Kirsten Dunst in particular played fantastic parts, it was a lovely film, with a really nice ending, great! :thumbs:

[vernon]

sounds like a good one to watch ribbit, i haven't seen or heard about it before so nice to hear about a "nice" film :)

i know what you mean about the film industry.. alot of the more bubblegum films just have steroetypical or outdated views on some groups of ppl.

i usually like to watch films that have *something* about them... just different or interesting ones.. even if the're just stupid films as long as its interesting stupid.. although not sure would the naked gun films count as interesting

really i think i look at whose in a film and to some extent who directed it (don't know to many directors though)... if it has ppl i like or i've heard or read something good about it... i think mostly if i've decided to watch a film i've almost already decided i'm gonna like it.

not seen many films recently... i saw "solaris" not long ago .. a little weird or doesn't all go together neatly... but i really liked how the central story was done.. i don't think many ppl liked it but i thought it was good

(had to look up ribbits signature too, hadn't heard that one......"reductio ad absurdum"! :P)

[hollygolightly]

I watched the film today and thought it was lovely. :)

Had a tear in my eye at the ending.. :cry:

I think it's one I'm going ot have to buy and watch again. :D

[Domestic Goddess]

I really enjoyed. Had echoes of Dead Poet's Society. All actresses were great and the storyline was interesting. I would decribe this as a "chick flick" as my husband dozed off after half an hour!! (nothing new there!)