Review of Mona Lisa Smile (2003) by Mark W — 30 Apr 2011

The instant Katherine Watson sets foot in Wellesley College, you know you're in for a treat. Katherine does what every teacher strives to do - she sees the potential in each and every one of her students and is eager to build upon it.

The only trouble is that she sees it in all the wrong places - well, according to the Wellesley tradition, anyway. The cast list boasts many famous females, each and every one of them giving great performances and being responsible for drawing you right into the film.

You are left feeling Katherine's frustration all too clearly when what it seems the students are resisting the chance to see just what could be. But, as they say, you can lead a horse to water... In many ways this film could have been so much more than it turned out to be, but despite this it remains charming, funny and endearing, and certainly worth a watch.