Mona Lisa Smile

2003 · Directed by Mike Newell

What is it?

Set in 1953, Mona Lisa Smile follows Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), a new art history professor at Wellesley College. The film also stars Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Atlas note

I always think of Mona Lisa Smile as an autumn film. I’m not entirely sure it is. But everything about it looks like autumn to me. The dark greens. Burgundy. Brown. Mustard. Dark wood, old brick, books and college corridors. Even the clothes look autumnal. Partly because of the colours, but also the fabrics. Wool skirts. Cardigans. Coats. All those heavier textures. And the whole film feels warm. Not necessarily the story. Some of it isn’t warm at all. I mean the way it looks. The soft light. The slightly muted colours. The interiors. One of the scenes I always remember is Katherine’s class on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. She brings in a paint-by-numbers version of the painting. Every time I watch it, I want to buy one of those sets and try painting Sunflowers myself. I’ve never actually done it. Maybe this is the year.

On the Table

The last time I watched Mona Lisa Smile, I had roasted tomato soup with homemade focaccia. I’m not saying the film requires soup. But it was a very good combination.

Roasted Tomato Soup & Focaccia →