Mona Lisa's Smile [Film and TV Commentary]

In the 1950s, the social status of American women seemed to have improved significantly. However, in famous women's universities such as Wesleyan, teachers still focused their teaching on students around the future of good marriage, and did not encourage them to actively acquire knowledge that they were interested in, nor did they pay attention to cultivating their inner qualities. The beautiful and mature Catherine (Julia Roberts) graduated from college. When she came to the school as an art history teacher with ideals and enthusiasm, she encountered many obstacles because she wanted to spread the seeds of freedom. However, because of her humor, straightforwardness, enthusiasm, and profound knowledge, Catherine quickly won the love of the students. Several of her students, Joan (Julia Stiles), who wanted to do something like the boys, and lively Livi (Maggie Gyllenhaal), etc., also slowly revealed their true temperaments. However, the news that another student Betty (Kirsten Dunst) is getting married breaks the free and romantic atmosphere.