Mona Lisa Smile
Mike Newell
Mentioned once across 1 show · first heard Jan 2026 on IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson.
coming-of-age storieseducationfilm lovers
The general take
Suleika Jaouad remembers Mona Lisa Smile fondly as a film that left an impression on her as a young viewer, appreciating how the female characters prioritized intelligence alongside being beautiful and fashionable. She highlights the opening scene where the students had already prepared for class, suggesting the movie resonated with her vision of women leading with their minds.
Who said what
Suleika Jaouad👍 Recommends
…suleika describing a formative moment watching a film about education and ambition
“I had a really, right before I met you, 12, I went to the movie theater with my mom and I saw this movie, Julia Roberts. It's called. Julia Roberts. Mona Lisa Smile. Oh, okay. And all the girls on the first day of class had already read the textbooks. And they were beautiful and fashionable and cool. And more than anything, they led with their intelligence.”
IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson — Surrender to the Process with Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouadat 23:00
Listener reviews
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