ince winning an Academy Award in 2001 for her performance as the strong-willed Erin Brockovich, Julia Roberts hasn't starred in many hits. The only exception would be America's Sweethearts, which did moderately well, but didn't achieve the success of some of Roberts' other films. The Mexican (co-starring Brad Pitt) gave every indication it would be a box office hit, but once it opened, audiences stayed away. Ocean's Eleven did big enough business that a sequel is now in the works, but it can't really be called a "Julia Roberts film" since she was just one of a large ensemble cast. However, her fans will be thrilled to find that Roberts is finally starring in a film again, carrying the full weight and responsibility of the picture on her slim shoulders. Mona Lisa Smile takes place in 1953, when many young women didn't give much thought to a career - they were happy to get married and begin a family. When Katherine Watson (Roberts) lands a job at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, she's aghast to discover that despite the |
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school's fine academic reputation, the students
measure their success by how well they marry. Watson challenges her students to
think about their careers and to use their abilities to land jobs before they
settle down and have children. Roberts' class includes a trio of young actresses
- Kirsten Dunst, Julia
Stiles and Maggie
Gyllenhaal - who are working together for the first time. |