not just feminism

Shaina 2022-04-21 09:02:12

When I watched it for the first time, I felt that this film was about women's liberation and the pursuit of their own rights. After watching it for the second time, I suddenly realized that there are many other problems in the film that are still confusing, or, there are still no solutions.

First, the conflict between the traditional and the new. Marxist philosophy tells us that this kind of conflict has always existed, that new things develop by denying old things, hehe. But this development will come at the expense of good people who are ahead of their time. Condoms are now generally accepted, but Miss Armstrong lost his job and reputation at the time. Now, few women are born to be wives and mothers, but Katherine was in conflict with the public at that time and fell into seemingly irreconcilable contradictions.

Secondly, the degree of advice (forgive me for Marx again). Kathetine and Betty got into an argument at a party. K says B is nosy, and B says K is too. In fact, B is a little bit concerned about other people's affairs. As long as he doesn't like it, he has to express his opinion, and it is a very bad kind. Because K is a new woman, many of her opinions are correct, so people tend not to think that she is nosy, but makes correct suggestions. She is very concerned about whether Joan will go to Yale, but J doesn't want to go, just wants to live a good life. At this time, it can't be said that J is short-sighted, and it can't be said that K has too much control (she is just a lover). Maybe J will regret it later, but since she made her own decision, she can't blame others. When we ordinary people make decisions, we are always limited by various conditions, and no one can guarantee that we will never regret it.

There are many touching scenes in the play. What impresses me most is that B insults Giselle with very vicious language. I thought G would break out, but she hugged B and comforted her. What a good friend this is. One of my favorite characters in the movie is G (the reason why it's not my favorite is because I can't agree with her being a mistress).

------------------------
2016.4.13
I admire Katherine's courage and persistence. Nowadays, many people are afraid or unwilling to make suggestions because they are afraid that others will think they are nosy and each has their own way of life, so why do you think you are right? I also questioned Katherine at first, especially when Joan said that housewife was what she wanted to do. But after reading it three times, I finally realized that if you think other people's actions are wrong, you should bring it up, and even if you can't change it, let them realize this. This is the responsibility of a teacher.

View more about Mona Lisa Smile reviews

Extended Reading

Mona Lisa Smile quotes

  • [referring to a childlike drawing of a cow]

    Katherine Watson: 25 years ago, someone thought this was brilliant.

    Connie Baker: I can see that.

    Betty Warren: Who?

    Katherine Watson: My mother. I painted it for her birthday. Next slide. This is my mom. Is it art?

    Susan Delacorte: It's a snapshot.

    Katherine Watson: If I told you Ansel Adams had taken it, would that make a difference?

    Betty Warren: Art isn't art until someone says it is.

    Katherine Watson: It's art!

    Betty Warren: The right people.

    Katherine Watson: And who are they?

    Giselle Levy: Betty Warren! We're so lucky we have one of them right here.

  • Connie Baker: [reading from an advertisement] "When your courses are set and a dreamboat you've met, have a real cigarette! Have a Camel!" I've got my courses, I've got my Camel cigarette. Where the hell is my dreamboat?