Set in the early 1950s, the film follows Katherine Watson (played by Julia Roberts), a progressive art history professor from California who lands a job teaching at Wellesley College, an all-female liberal arts college in Massachusetts. Katherine is excited to inspire her students and encourage them to think independently, but she soon realizes that the conservative and traditional values of the college are deeply ingrained in both the faculty and the students.
As Katherine settles into her new role, she becomes frustrated by the narrow-minded attitudes and limited aspirations of her students, who have been conditioned to believe that their primary goal in life is to find a husband and settle down. Determined to challenge their preconceptions and expand their horizons, Katherine introduces her students to modern art, literature, and feminist ideas, much to the chagrin of her colleagues and the college administration.
Despite facing resistance and criticism from her peers, Katherine forms a bond with several of her students, including Betty Warren (played by Kirsten Dunst), Joan Brandwyn (played by Julia Stiles), Giselle Levy (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal), and Connie Baker (played by Ginnifer Goodwin). Each of these young women grapples with societal expectations and personal aspirations, and they find themselves drawn to Katherine’s progressive ideas and unconventional approach to education.
As the school year progresses, tensions rise between Katherine and the conservative forces at Wellesley, culminating in a heated confrontation over the direction of the college and the role of women in society. In the end, Katherine’s influence has a profound impact on her students, inspiring them to challenge the status quo and pursue their dreams, even in the face of opposition.
“Mona Lisa Smile” is a thought-provoking and inspiring drama that explores themes of feminism, education, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. With its stellar cast, engaging storyline, and powerful message, the film offers a compelling look at a pivotal moment in history and the women who dared to defy convention and chart their own course.