Apple TVMona Lisa Smile (2003)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Viewer Rating
Rating: 5.3
Overview
Katherine Watson is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students, including Betty and Joan, to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Apple TV
Google PlayBias Dimensions
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Christianity: Negative
Overview
Katherine Watson is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students, including Betty and Joan, to challenge the lives they are expected to lead.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Apple TVGoogle PlayDetailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film's central critique of restrictive 1950s gender roles and its championing of women's intellectual and personal autonomy aligns strongly with progressive values, making it Left-Leaning.
The movie features traditional casting, with a predominantly white main cast that reflects its 1950s setting. However, its narrative centrally and explicitly critiques traditional gender roles and societal expectations for women, advocating for female empowerment and challenging patriarchal norms.
Secondary
The film critiques the conservative societal expectations and gender roles prevalent in 1950s America, which were often deeply intertwined with traditional Christian values. It portrays these norms, and the institutions/adherents upholding them, as oppressive to women's intellectual and personal freedom, advocating for a more progressive and independent path.
Mona Lisa Smile does not feature any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The story centers on a progressive art history professor challenging traditional gender roles and expectations for women at a 1950s college, without addressing queer identities or experiences.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Mona Lisa Smile features an original screenplay with characters created specifically for the film. There are no pre-existing canonical or historical figures whose gender was altered for this movie.
Mona Lisa Smile is an original screenplay, not an adaptation of existing material or a biopic of historical figures. The characters were created for this film, meaning there is no prior canonical or historical race to be altered.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
5.3
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
User Ratings
6.6
6.9
Critic Ratings
3.3
4.5
More Like This
Leans Progressive
8.6
Little Women
(2019)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
6.7
The New World
(2005)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
6.6
Hawaii
(1966)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
7.0
Antwone Fisher
(2002)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.5
Queen Christina
(1933)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
7.4
Hustlers
(2019)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
6.7
Leave the World Behind
(2023)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Progressive
7.4
Boy Meets Girl
(2014)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
6.7
The Threesome
(2025)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
7.5
Waitress
(2007)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
7.6
Detroit
(2017)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
6.7
I Love You Phillip Morris
(2010)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
8.1
Hidden Figures
(2016)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
7.7
Challengers
(2024)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Progressive
7.5
The Last Duel
(2021)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
8.5
Hamilton
(2025)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
6.6
Respect
(2021)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
8.0
In the Heights
(2021)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
8.3
The Favourite
(2018)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
8.1
If Beale Street Could Talk
(2018)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High