This is my reaction about the film "Mona Lisa Smile"
The “Mona Lisa Smile” is a story about a liberal-minded Novice Professor named Katherine Watson (played by Julia Roberts) who lands a job at an all – girl, college called Wellesley. At first the students like Betty (Kirsten Dunst), Giselle (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Joan (Julia Stiles), and Connie (Ginnifer Goodwin) intimidate her, putting her down and criticizing her every move and thought. But this didn’t stop her from teaching her students there right as a women. While struggling in many obstacles that the society throws at her, she never gives up. She strives hard and stand in her owe believes and never afraid to say what her on her mind.
While watching this film, you could see the difference between the women of the 50th’s and the women of today. Women of the 50th’s are highly educated and intellectual like the modern women of today. However there are many difference from the tradition that the women grown up to be in the past. Like for example the way they place their selves in the society and there role in the family. As a wife, she must show herself as a good house wife and to take care of the house and the children while the men are the ones who provides for the family (This example show in the part of the film we’re Betty got married.). But today, women work as equal with men. They work to make a career, and at the same time take care of there families.
“Mona Lisa Smile” is a great reminder of what it was like to live when a woman did not have a voice. However, if this movie were to take place on a campus today, society would not have played a factor in the movie. Both women and men would be equal on campus, and their educations would be held of equal value. In today’s society, it is very important for a female to educate herself and to have a career. We are a feminist society in that all people should be treated equally however; sometime we could all use a Katherine Watson in our lives, as a reminder that women do have a voice and have the power same a men does.
I think it's sad that I was unable to live in that time my 2 grandma's lived then and they were much more elegant, classy, and intelligent than most women I know today especially millennials. I think we made a mistake I would have enjoyed staying home with my kids instead of cleaning houses...
I think it's sad that I was unable to live in that time my 2 grandma's lived then and they were much more elegant, classy, and intelligent than most women I know today especially millennials. I think we made a mistake I would have enjoyed staying home with my kids instead of cleaning houses...
Also I just think these elitist women from the NE and CA started this feminist let's all work crap. They weren't thinking of the women who can't afford a nice college..
The movie depicted a passionate professor who is very much eager to let the student learn what is beyond to learn in school. It is an ideal style, making alternatives going beyond textbooks and the like. Allowing students to go out of the classroom to take a closer look on the kind of art they are studying, not just flashing the slides. Compiling the alternative resources not just the work of art of what the world considered masters in the world of art. For me it is one way of instilling into the minds of students that art is everywhere. It is not called art because it was made by a well-reknowned artist. The professor tried to incorporate art into everyday living. Her teaching style has a heart, she is devoted, regaining focus amidst criticisms, which is important factor to be more effective educator. Looking at the student's profile seems to me that it is a sign of the teacher is not only concern with the subject she is incharge but the totality of the students background. Although i believed that her teaching style shows passion towards her profession,which the society needs, it may also be detrimental.She must learn how to control the outburst of emotion towards the superior, colleagues and students. She must learn to draw boundaries in a professional and personal manner.She must bear in mind that she is an educator, who has limitations, she can only guide,lead and be a model to the students and others, but she cannot and should not impose her vision,mission, values and goals to her students, because wherever she goes, there are policies to follow, even establishing her own school, because certain rules are mandated and governed by law. Otherwise she maybe disappointed.
Mona Lisa Smile is a film set in the 1950's wherein women doesn't have somewhat the freedom to do what they really want. It had given us a view of how women back then were treated and how they were suppressed by the society. Most of the students were intelligent but they lack personal opinion and they were bound to believe that the best place for a woman is to be at home, taking care of her husband and children. They think that was the best role meant for them.
It also talks about feminism... with the help of Katherine Watson (who's by the way so much ahead of her time), the students learn how to make their own choices. She made them realized that they have options for their future. Sounds easy? But it's the 1950's, women back then were stereotyped to get married right after graduation. Pursuing a degree or a career is like going against the perfect flow of life.
The film also focuses on the development of the students. It has become clear to them that as a woman, they also have the capacity to have a place in the world that is so male-dominated.
More importantly, the film tackles how strong the influence of a teacher could go. Educators may not know it but they have the ability to make an impact on their students, both inside and outside of their classrooms.
It was also an eye-opener for me in the sense that aside from the opinions of my students and co-workers, I also have to deal with their parents, their beliefs, culture and values.
The setting of the movie Mona Lisa Smile took placed in Wellesley College in the year 1953 that believed in the tradition that women’s sole responsibility was to take care of husband and children.
Katherine Watson, the art history teacher, as Betty Warren pointed out “did not come to Wellesley to fit in but to make a difference.”
Prof. Bill Dunbar described her as “Progressive” and “Forward Thinker.” President Carr said her teaching method is a little unorthodox for Wellesley.
Betty Warren said that her teachings encourage the girls to reject the roles they were born to fill. War on the Holy Sacrament of Marriage.
Betty Warren describes Katherine Watson as “quitter for living” and “Aimless Wanderer.” She also said, "Not all who wander are aimless. Especially those who seek truth beyond tradition... beyond definition... beyond the image."
I liked what Betty Warren said, that Katherine Watson did not come to Wellesley to fit in but to make a difference. I think that we should always leave a positive mark to the people we interact with. What I saw in this movie is that Katherine Watson wanted to speak about our freedom. Freedom to do what we really want. Freedom to Choose. Freedom to Speak our mind. That we should not be traditionalist, we should be open to the changes in our environment.
Julia Robert’s character here is very strong. She pointed out that she demands excellence on her students. Which I think should be the objectives of all educators. To Demand excellence on their students.
Monalisa Smile is an inspiring and uplifting film about the art professor who displays passion towards teaching. This film offers a lot of lesson about life, romance, dreams, and teaching profession. On my reflection in this film I would like to focus on the professional attitude/qualities of Katherine Ann Watson. Ms. Watson is a remarkable teacher because if her true commitment to teaching. Below are the following qualities/attitude.
1. Understanding the learner. This quality is clear in this film. In the scene where Ms. Watson’s first day of class reveal the general class profile. She discovers that her students are the brightest students in the country with interesting individual personality. Because of this discovery she immediately changes her teaching strategy to help her student to fully embrace her teaching. This is a high risk move because she understands that Wesllesley College is a traditional school. She receives a notice (informal) that she must strictly follow the curriculum set by the school. Although she knows that her career is on stake she continues what she believes that her strategy can help her student to understand their course. Since that she knows the situation inside the classroom she stands her ground and dissent the recommendation of school regarding her teaching strategy.
2. Understanding and taking pride of teaching as a profession She understands her role inside the classroom. Moreover his positive out-look toward teaching contribute to the degree of teacher success. Unfortunately in this film Ms. Watson does not have good interpersonal relationship towards school administrator. For some teacher this may trigger to pull down their morale and may affect their work. But this is obviously opposite to Ms. Watson, she strive for excellence despite of the criticism around her. I believe her strong passion toward teaching build strong foundation on her belief and motivation in line with teaching profession. Although there some incident the she outburst her anger because of the character assassination on her. She is just a human who got hurt. At the end of the film she still shows her poise and she did not allow her emotion to rule over his judgment.
3. Mastery of the subject Matter. This should be evident to every teacher. But I would like to stress out on what Ms Watson did in this film. She has broad understanding about arts but she continues to read books about this expertise. She did not limit herself on the textbook.
There so many qualities and attitude shows by Ms Watson but this first three the one inspire me most. This definitely helps me to reflect again if I can devote myself in this profession. What I know I love to help other people by means of teaching but this desire is not enough.
Katherine Ann Watson (Roberts) portray a non-traditional woman and teacher who has passion not just in teaching arts but also in reaching the full potential of her students from the society who dictated them how to think and live. Although the probability of having students read the whole book, as the story incorporates it, is very little though it is possible.
I think the set-up of the class is very ideal and the time, which was in the 1950’s because they needed a person and a teacher like Watson who would open-up the eyes of her students who are - by the way - all women, who are just waiting for the right guy to marry them. Watson made strategies that will make her students think out-of-the-box - not just what is written on the books and what is accepted in the society but also to think of what they really want out of life. She somehow corrected it by setting an example and integrating syllabus which is not written in the curriculum. She is very intelligent that she was able to adapt to changes as she was starting her career in whole new environment. I like her style and way of teaching although I differ on the way she handled her love-life. From the first time I saw the older man and her co-teacher, I saw who is most sincere and who is willing to do everything for her. Maybe she has her reasons but when nobody was there to understand her, that guy that she turned down to, was there. Maybe he is not the hunk-type-of-man but his inner being is so beautiful that I cannot understand Watson’s reasons behind it. Maybe she was not ready for marriage yet.
All in all the movie is an eye-opener to women not just on those times but up to the present time. The wife-mother style is still happening especially in the province and the movie will somehow make them aware that they can still have jobs while being a wife and a mother all at the same time.
As the title speaks for itself, Mona Lisa had the most mysterious smile on earth. This movie was made in a very intelligent manner and captured the attention of those people who seek freedom on their lives. The role of Julia Roberts as a very modern woman at 50’s genre was very powerful and provocative. She broke the mediocrity in the lives of her students by believing on her own principles and virtue in teaching and in life. Although she knew that she’s banging herself against the wall of school’s curriculum, she consistently delivered her advocacy that a woman must not confine herself being domesticated after she finished schooling. Women like men, have the right to prove their true worth in the society by reaching their potential and be in community service if they wanted to. She wanted them to live their lives not just to become a wife of somebody so that they do need not to conform on women stereotypes at that time. I admire her strength and love of work when the college administrators already warned her that she’d lose her job if she would still be pushy on being a feminist when teaching art history. She did not give in. Instead, she became more forceful in instilling changes among her students. She proved that as a teacher, she delivered her duties beyond the call of her service. She did it with extreme passion and being optimistic on what idea she believed in. For me, she’s really an educator equipped with intelligence and heart for her students. On the students, I sympathized them because being in an all-girl school at that time, obedience was the key to survive. I also felt bad when Kirsten Dunst had to marry the man without realizing that life was not just marrying after all. If teachers before were not like Julia Roberts, maybe up to now, many women ended up doing household chores and regretting why they did not took the other road when there was still time to do so. The movie gave me an idea that learning mustn’t stop when we finished studying. One must see herself productive and improving as time passes by especially women. As I watched this movie, I thought , I’m on the right track.
This is my reaction about the film "Mona Lisa Smile"
ReplyDeleteThe “Mona Lisa Smile” is a story about a liberal-minded Novice Professor named Katherine Watson (played by Julia Roberts) who lands a job at an all – girl, college called Wellesley. At first the students like Betty (Kirsten Dunst), Giselle (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Joan (Julia Stiles), and Connie (Ginnifer Goodwin) intimidate her, putting her down and criticizing her every move and thought. But this didn’t stop her from teaching her students there right as a women. While struggling in many obstacles that the society throws at her, she never gives up. She strives hard and stand in her owe believes and never afraid to say what her on her mind.
While watching this film, you could see the difference between the women of the 50th’s and the women of today. Women of the 50th’s are highly educated and intellectual like the modern women of today. However there are many difference from the tradition that the women grown up to be in the past. Like for example the way they place their selves in the society and there role in the family. As a wife, she must show herself as a good house wife and to take care of the house and the children while the men are the ones who provides for the family (This example show in the part of the film we’re Betty got married.). But today, women work as equal with men. They work to make a career, and at the same time take care of there families.
“Mona Lisa Smile” is a great reminder of what it was like to live when a woman did not have a voice. However, if this movie were to take place on a campus today, society would not have played a factor in the movie. Both women and men would be equal on campus, and their educations would be held of equal value. In today’s society, it is very important for a female to educate herself and to have a career. We are a feminist society in that all people should be treated equally however; sometime we could all use a Katherine Watson in our lives, as a reminder that women do have a voice and have the power same a men does.
I think it's sad that I was unable to live in that time my 2 grandma's lived then and they were much more elegant, classy, and intelligent than most women I know today especially millennials. I think we made a mistake I would have enjoyed staying home with my kids instead of cleaning houses...
DeleteI think it's sad that I was unable to live in that time my 2 grandma's lived then and they were much more elegant, classy, and intelligent than most women I know today especially millennials. I think we made a mistake I would have enjoyed staying home with my kids instead of cleaning houses...
DeleteAlso I just think these elitist women from the NE and CA started this feminist let's all work crap. They weren't thinking of the women who can't afford a nice college..
DeleteThe movie depicted a passionate professor who is very much eager to let the student learn what is beyond to learn in school. It is an ideal style, making alternatives going beyond textbooks and the like. Allowing students to go out of the classroom to take a closer look on the kind of art they are studying, not just flashing the slides. Compiling the alternative resources not just the work of art of what the world considered masters in the world of art. For me it is one way of instilling into the minds of students that art is everywhere. It is not called art because it was made by a well-reknowned artist. The professor tried to incorporate art into everyday living. Her teaching style has a heart, she is devoted, regaining focus amidst criticisms, which is important factor to be more effective educator. Looking at the student's profile seems to me that it is a sign of the teacher is not only concern with the subject she is incharge but the totality of the students background.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i believed that her teaching style shows passion towards her profession,which the society needs, it may also be detrimental.She must learn how to control the outburst of emotion towards the superior, colleagues and students. She must learn to draw boundaries in a professional and personal manner.She must bear in mind that she is an educator, who has limitations, she can only guide,lead and be a model to the students and others, but she cannot and should not impose her vision,mission, values and goals to her students, because wherever she goes, there are policies to follow, even establishing her own school, because certain rules are mandated and governed by law. Otherwise she maybe disappointed.
Mona Lisa Smile is a film set in the 1950's wherein women doesn't have somewhat the freedom to do what they really want. It had given us a view of how women back then were treated and how they were suppressed by the society. Most of the students were intelligent but they lack personal opinion and they were bound to believe that the best place for a woman is to be at home, taking care of her husband and children. They think that was the best role meant for them.
ReplyDeleteIt also talks about feminism... with the help of Katherine Watson (who's by the way so much ahead of her time), the students learn how to make their own choices. She made them realized that they have options for their future. Sounds easy? But it's the 1950's, women back then were stereotyped to get married right after graduation. Pursuing a degree or a career is like going against the perfect flow of life.
The film also focuses on the development of the students. It has become clear to them that as a woman, they also have the capacity to have a place in the world that is so male-dominated.
More importantly, the film tackles how strong the influence of a teacher could go. Educators may not know it but they have the ability to make an impact on their students, both inside and outside of their classrooms.
It was also an eye-opener for me in the sense that aside from the opinions of my students and co-workers, I also have to deal with their parents, their beliefs, culture and values.
Mona Lisa Smile
ReplyDeleteThe setting of the movie Mona Lisa Smile took placed in Wellesley College in the year 1953 that believed in the tradition that women’s sole responsibility was to take care of husband and children.
Katherine Watson, the art history teacher, as Betty Warren pointed out “did not come to Wellesley to fit in but to make a difference.”
Prof. Bill Dunbar described her as “Progressive” and “Forward Thinker.”
President Carr said her teaching method is a little unorthodox for Wellesley.
Betty Warren said that her teachings encourage the girls to reject the roles they were born to fill. War on the Holy Sacrament of Marriage.
Betty Warren describes Katherine Watson as “quitter for living” and “Aimless Wanderer.” She also said, "Not all who wander are aimless. Especially those who seek truth beyond tradition... beyond definition... beyond the image."
I liked what Betty Warren said, that Katherine Watson did not come to Wellesley to fit in but to make a difference. I think that we should always leave a positive mark to the people we interact with.
What I saw in this movie is that Katherine Watson wanted to speak about our freedom. Freedom to do what we really want. Freedom to Choose. Freedom to Speak our mind.
That we should not be traditionalist, we should be open to the changes in our environment.
Julia Robert’s character here is very strong. She pointed out that she demands excellence on her students. Which I think should be the objectives of all educators. To Demand excellence on their students.
Monalisa Smile is an inspiring and uplifting film about the art professor who displays passion towards teaching. This film offers a lot of lesson about life, romance, dreams, and teaching profession. On my reflection in this film I would like to focus on the professional attitude/qualities of Katherine Ann Watson. Ms. Watson is a remarkable teacher because if her true commitment to teaching. Below are the following qualities/attitude.
ReplyDelete1. Understanding the learner.
This quality is clear in this film. In the scene where Ms. Watson’s first day of class reveal the general class profile. She discovers that her students are the brightest students in the country with interesting individual personality. Because of this discovery she immediately changes her teaching strategy to help her student to fully embrace her teaching. This is a high risk move because she understands that Wesllesley College is a traditional school. She receives a notice (informal) that she must strictly follow the curriculum set by the school. Although she knows that her career is on stake she continues what she believes that her strategy can help her student to understand their course. Since that she knows the situation inside the classroom she stands her ground and dissent the recommendation of school regarding her teaching strategy.
2. Understanding and taking pride of teaching as a profession
She understands her role inside the classroom. Moreover his positive out-look toward teaching contribute to the degree of teacher success. Unfortunately in this film Ms. Watson does not have good interpersonal relationship towards school administrator. For some teacher this may trigger to pull down their morale and may affect their work. But this is obviously opposite to Ms. Watson, she strive for excellence despite of the criticism around her. I believe her strong passion toward teaching build strong foundation on her belief and motivation in line with teaching profession. Although there some incident the she outburst her anger because of the character assassination on her. She is just a human who got hurt. At the end of the film she still shows her poise and she did not allow her emotion to rule over his judgment.
3. Mastery of the subject Matter.
This should be evident to every teacher. But I would like to stress out on what Ms Watson did in this film. She has broad understanding about arts but she continues to read books about this expertise. She did not limit herself on the textbook.
There so many qualities and attitude shows by Ms Watson but this first three the one inspire me most. This definitely helps me to reflect again if I can devote myself in this profession. What I know I love to help other people by means of teaching but this desire is not enough.
Monalisa Smile Critique
ReplyDeleteKatherine Ann Watson (Roberts) portray a non-traditional woman and teacher who has passion not just in teaching arts but also in reaching the full potential of her students from the society who dictated them how to think and live. Although the probability of having students read the whole book, as the story incorporates it, is very little though it is possible.
I think the set-up of the class is very ideal and the time, which was in the 1950’s because they needed a person and a teacher like Watson who would open-up the eyes of her students who are - by the way - all women, who are just waiting for the right guy to marry them. Watson made strategies that will make her students think out-of-the-box - not just what is written on the books and what is accepted in the society but also to think of what they really want out of life. She somehow corrected it by setting an example and integrating syllabus which is not written in the curriculum. She is very intelligent that she was able to adapt to changes as she was starting her career in whole new environment. I like her style and way of teaching although I differ on the way she handled her love-life. From the first time I saw the older man and her co-teacher, I saw who is most sincere and who is willing to do everything for her. Maybe she has her reasons but when nobody was there to understand her, that guy that she turned down to, was there. Maybe he is not the hunk-type-of-man but his inner being is so beautiful that I cannot understand Watson’s reasons behind it. Maybe she was not ready for marriage yet.
All in all the movie is an eye-opener to women not just on those times but up to the present time. The wife-mother style is still happening especially in the province and the movie will somehow make them aware that they can still have jobs while being a wife and a mother all at the same time.
As the title speaks for itself, Mona Lisa had the most mysterious smile on earth. This movie was made in a very intelligent manner and captured the attention of those people who seek freedom on their lives. The role of Julia Roberts as a very modern woman at 50’s genre was very powerful and provocative. She broke the mediocrity in the lives of her students by believing on her own principles and virtue in teaching and in life. Although she knew that she’s banging herself against the wall of school’s curriculum, she consistently delivered her advocacy that a woman must not confine herself being domesticated after she finished schooling. Women like men, have the right to prove their true worth in the society by reaching their potential and be in community service if they wanted to. She wanted them to live their lives not just to become a wife of somebody so that they do need not to conform on women stereotypes at that time. I admire her strength and love of work when the college administrators already warned her that she’d lose her job if she would still be pushy on being a feminist when teaching art history. She did not give in. Instead, she became more forceful in instilling changes among her students. She proved that as a teacher, she delivered her duties beyond the call of her service. She did it with extreme passion and being optimistic on what idea she believed in. For me, she’s really an educator equipped with intelligence and heart for her students. On the students, I sympathized them because being in an all-girl school at that time, obedience was the key to survive. I also felt bad when Kirsten Dunst had to marry the man without realizing that life was not just marrying after all. If teachers before were not like Julia Roberts, maybe up to now, many women ended up doing household chores and regretting why they did not took the other road when there was still time to do so. The movie gave me an idea that learning mustn’t stop when we finished studying. One must see herself productive and improving as time passes by especially women. As I watched this movie, I thought , I’m on the right track.
ReplyDelete