Mona Lisa Smile

An ironically conformist piece of mock-intellectual fluff about a bohemian art history professor (Julia Roberts) rocking the boat at uppity, conservative, marriage-grooming Wellesley College in the 1950s, Mona Lisa Smile could be termed an estrogen-infused Dead Poets Society, but even that would be giving the picture too much credit for originality. Barraged with hackneyed bluster from traditionalist scourges and disrespect from supposedly refined, well-bred students (Julia Stiles, Kirsten Dunst, and Maggie Gyllenhaal--decked out in tweed skirts and white gloves), plucky Roberts begins teaching modern art over classics, challenging attitudes and values, and asking weighty questions ("What is art? What makes it good or bad?"). Unfortunately, such topics are given lip service, in favor of a predictable plot about these socially corseted young ladies being led toward the light of pre-1960s sexual egalitarianism. Every character is a cliché, every life lesson is telegraphed, and the conservatives Roberts comes up against present no real challenge. In fact, all this movie does is line up stereotypes, then knock them down in the most trite, routine, heart-tugging manner imaginable. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the featurettes “College Then and Now” (15 min.), “What Women Wanted: 1953” (11 min.), and “Art Forum” (6 min.), as well as Elton John's music video “The Heart of Every Girl,” cast and crew filmographies, and trailers. Bottom line: a lackluster extras package for an unimaginative film.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Mar. 2, 2010—Sony, 119 min., PG-13, $24.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2003's Mona Lisa Smile boasts an excellent transfer and a 5.1 TrueHD soundtrack. Blu-ray extras are identical to those on the previous DVD release, including the featurettes “College: Then and Now” (15 min.), “What Women Wanted: 1953” (11 min.), and “Art Forum” (6 min.), as well as Elton John's music video “The Heart of Every Girl,” and trailers. Bottom line: a nice-looking Blu-ray debut for a disappointing film.]