project? There are hints that the script (credited to Mark Rosenthal and Lawrence Konner) may once have had more shadings - a suggestion that Katherine's idealism is a form of power-tripping; that she's afraid of intimacy - but any ambiguity is quickly brushed aside to make way for the Julia lovefest. Newell, no hack, tries not to milk the cliches shamelessly, and that may be the movie's final undoing. Lacking the courage of its own vulgarity, 'Mona Lisa Smile' is as tepid as old bathwater." Accolades Reaction from Wellesley and Wellesley alumnae The college issued an official statement explaining their decision to allow the film to shoot on campus. In a message to Wellesley alumnae concerning the film, Wellesley College president Diana Chapman Walsh expressed regret about some of the reactions it generated, given that many alumnae from the 1950s felt that the film's portrayal of Wellesley was inaccurate. References External links Julia Roberts interview for Mona Lisa Smile 2003 films 2003 romantic drama films American coming-of-age drama films American romantic drama films 2000s English-language films 2000s Italian-language films 2000s feminist films Films directed by Mike Newell Films scored by Rachel Portman Films about educators Films set in 1953 Films set in the 1950s Films set in Massachusetts Films shot in Connecticut Films shot in New York (state) Films shot in New Jersey Films shot in Massachusetts Films shot in California Revolution Studios films Columbia Pictures films Films set in universities and colleges 2000s coming-of-age drama films 2000s female buddy films 2000s American films