This is a beautiful story set in 1953 about the struggle for women to find their identity and purpose in post war America. The war had sent the majority of men in to battle and the women were left to run the country, their newly found financial and emotional independence was soon stripped back when the war ended, and women were expected to return to the home and raise their children. This movie is set on the cusp of change for women in the western world.

Katherine Winters (played by Julia Roberts) was a 28-year-old unmarried teacher; she applied for and was given the role of Art History teacher at the exclusive Wellesley College in Boston. Katherine came from sunny California, so just the adjustment to a new freezing cold climate a world away was hard enough. But Katherine chose to take on the conservative faculty of Wellesley and fully challenge their ideas of what a woman could and couldn?t be. Katherine was met with strong resistance both from the establishment and the girls she was trying to set free. Her outspoken ideas that women could be more than a good housewife and mother were designed to shock and provoke debate. But Katherine experienced such a whole hearted resistance that there were times when even she questioned her motives and was forced to accept that it was OK to not want anything more.

The 1950?s were a time of upheaval women were expected to silently condone any bad behaviour from their husbands and the pressure to save face at all costs was stifling. Katherine Winters? students had been indoctrinated from birth to believe the propaganda, they were sent to college to mark time until they found suitable husbands to give them an identity. The cast was fantastic and the acting and script were excellent. This movie brings together a patchwork of characters that blend exceptionally well to tell a great story.

Each of the girls refects the 1950?s society well as they are forced to decide if they will conform or rebel. Julia Stiles gives a great performance as Joan, a young student who has the ability to be anything she wants to be, but genuinely just wants to be married to Tommy, the love of her life. When Tommy is dragging his heels with a proposal Joan applies to study Law at Yale and Tommy is so threatened by the idea of her studying he suggests they elope that weekend. Kirsten Dunst plays Betty, the ultimate fidget bitch, she marries well into the Jones family and her husband instantly cheats on her, Betty is bitterly disappointed but chooses to take that disappointment out on her friends rather than her husband (just like her mum!).

This was a fabulous story just waiting to be told, the research and details was so credible that it was like watching old home movies from the 1950?s, no expense was spared to get the story accurate and the director should be praised for this. I just love Julia Roberts and this movie is one of her best! I?m so pleased that it?s possible to own such good quality movies, so soon to when they were released at the movies. The picture quality is unbelievable and the sound is brilliant! This DVD is a must have!

THE EXTRAS

3 featurettes focussing on the women who starred in this movie giving opinions on:

What women wanted in the 1950?s?

What college was like in the 1950?s?

Art - What makes Art, Art?

These 3 featurettes involved interviews with the main cast of the film asking their ideas on Art the 1950?s and women in general. It was interesting to hear the different versions of what they perceive to be important issues. Each runs for approx 5 minutes and offered insight into the actors and how they perceived their characters.

A basic run down on the movies that the members of the cast have appeared in before.

A song and film clip from Elton John - good stuff!!!

Theatrical trailers of Mons Lisa Smile & also some movies due for release soon such as: Big Fish.

Pretty much what you would expect to find in the special features. Nothing too startling but interesting none the less.

CONCLUSION

This is a beautiful story set in 1953 about the struggle for women to find their identity and purpose in post war America. The war had sent the majority of men in to battle and the women were left to run the country, their newly found financial and emotional independence was soon stripped back when the war ended, and women were expected to return to the home and raise their children. This movie is set on the cusp of change for women in the western world.

Katherine Winters (played by Julia Roberts) was a 28-year-old unmarried teacher; she applied for and was given the role of Art History teacher at the exclusive Wellesley College in Boston. Katherine chose to take on the conservative faculty of Wellesley and fully challenge their ideas of what a woman could and couldn?t be.