It appears in many of the reviews that this film lacks a grounding in reality. I would like to point out that the majority of these reviews have been written by individuals who live in every corner of the United States except for the region of which the film is about. Coming from someone who actually lives in the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, I am inclined to make a few comments about suburban Boston that might enable one to better understand the context of the film before they so strongly criticize it.
Boston and its suburbs are among the oldest communities in the country. The Pilgrims landed in Plymouth in 1620, followed by the Puritans in 1630, the year in which Boston was founded by the Massachusetts Bay Company. For anyone who knows anything about the Puritans, they were very strict when it comes to moral and ethical behavior. Rules were set according to the beliefs of these people. Massachusetts towns are rooted in the traditions of their past - traditions that influenced the founding of this country. Anyone who ridicules tradition undermines the values for which the United States of America was founded.
To continue, many Boston families are descended from the Puritans and thus have been in their communities for generations spanning nearly four hundred years. Although I am not saying that tradition should be strictly adhered to, it must be considered and appreciated to some degree. This is the view held by many of the "old" families of Boston, my family included.
For anyone who feels that this film over-exaggerates Wellesley in the 1950s, take it from someone whose family has been in the area for generations, this is not as much of an exaggeration as you might think. One cannot generalize that this is exaggerated just because the region in which they live differs. Lifestyles of the east and west coasts differ immensely. California, for instance, is a relatively young state compared to Massachusetts. Tradition most likely is not nearly as deeply rooted as it is in suburban Boston.
Therefore, when considering the reality of "Mona Lisa Smile" take the time to understand the community and the time period. Do not generalize. Furthermore, for those who claim that this film is an exaggeration, open your minds and consider the possibilities.
Boston and its suburbs are among the oldest communities in the country. The Pilgrims landed in Plymouth in 1620, followed by the Puritans in 1630, the year in which Boston was founded by the Massachusetts Bay Company. For anyone who knows anything about the Puritans, they were very strict when it comes to moral and ethical behavior. Rules were set according to the beliefs of these people. Massachusetts towns are rooted in the traditions of their past - traditions that influenced the founding of this country. Anyone who ridicules tradition undermines the values for which the United States of America was founded.
To continue, many Boston families are descended from the Puritans and thus have been in their communities for generations spanning nearly four hundred years. Although I am not saying that tradition should be strictly adhered to, it must be considered and appreciated to some degree. This is the view held by many of the "old" families of Boston, my family included.
For anyone who feels that this film over-exaggerates Wellesley in the 1950s, take it from someone whose family has been in the area for generations, this is not as much of an exaggeration as you might think. One cannot generalize that this is exaggerated just because the region in which they live differs. Lifestyles of the east and west coasts differ immensely. California, for instance, is a relatively young state compared to Massachusetts. Tradition most likely is not nearly as deeply rooted as it is in suburban Boston.
Therefore, when considering the reality of "Mona Lisa Smile" take the time to understand the community and the time period. Do not generalize. Furthermore, for those who claim that this film is an exaggeration, open your minds and consider the possibilities.