Beautiful Lies
An examination of Mona Lisa Smile and Circle of Friends
Every autumn, I find myself feeling nostalgic about higher education. Not my own experience of chronic stress and anxiety, but the idealized version of academia that no longer exists. I’m referring to the golden decade of the 1950s when campus life looked picture perfect. The clothing is a big part of its appeal for me… A-line plaid skirts with saddle shoes; peter pan collars and buttoned cardigans; poufy pastel dresses with pearl necklaces; school scarves and tailored coats; leather satchels to carry your textbooks in.
As fabulous as the aesthetics were, university life in the 1950s also meant joining clubs and attending dances. In many ways, the social scene was even more important than the academic side of it. Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy and Mona Lisa Smile directed by Mike Newell provide an entertaining glimpse of campus life while also tearing down the beautiful façade to expose the ugly truth beneath.
“Look at this, mother. She’s smiling. Is she happy? She looks happy, so what does it matter? Let me tell you something – not everything is as it seems.” –Betty Warren
For this review, I’ve chosen to focus on two very flawed characters: Nan Mahon from Circle of Friends, and Betty Warren from Mona Lisa Smile. Both girls are anti-heroes who view themselves as perfect leading ladies. Beautiful, fashionable, and popular – they are the campus princesses whose dreams of domestic bliss never come true. Their inability to gain happiness in marriage represents the societal shift towards women entering the work force. Despite their disastrous endings, there are a few notable differences between the girls.
Nan is from a middle-class family. Her clothes are high end, but she lives in a shabby subdivision that no one is allowed to visit. Her father is an abusive drunk, so it’s understandable she’d want to escape that life by marrying above her station. Nan’s underdog background makes her likeable at first – until we discover the manipulative lengths she will go to achieve her ends. Her betrayal and lack of remorse lead to a painful fall from grace.
Betty Warren, on the other hand, is from a wealthy family. Her snobbish behavior and scathing editorials make her easy to hate. She’s mean to everyone – including her own friends. On the surface, Betty appears to have it all: a handsome husband with a good career, and a stylish house in the right neighborhood. But once she sees the hypocrisy of her life, the viewer starts to soften towards her. Betty’s moving article at the end of the film helps to redeem her character.
As the stories progress, we learn that Nan and Betty were driven by their mother’s dreams. They believed that status and wealth were the keys to happiness. Don’t we still believe that even today? Isn’t that why we post so many photos of our material possessions on social media? I laughed when I saw the magazine photoshoot of Betty and Spencer in their new home because that’s exactly what people on Instagram do! The 2020s are no different from the 1950s in that regard. Perfection will always remain elusive, but the appearance of it can be achieved with gorgeously curated photographs.
Music is another reason why I enjoy this historical era so much. While browsing through crates of records at an antique shop, I came across an album of college songs. It was one of those wonderful moments of serendipity. The record is scratched, but I found a YouTube video to share with you.
I also made a Spotify playlist of my favorite songs from Circle of Friends and Mona Lisa Smile. It’s a combination of catchy Doo-Wop, sentimental ballads, and daring Rockabilly. I hope you enjoy listening! I’ll end this review with the lyrics to “Sh-Boom (Life Could be a Dream)” and “Smile,” which I think summarize the themes beautifully.
Oh, life could be a dream
If I could take you up in paradise up above
If you would tell me I’m the only one that you love
Life could be a dream sweetheartOh, life could be a dream
If only all my precious plans would come true
If you would let me spend my whole life lovin’ you
Life could be a dream sweetheartNow every time I look at you
Something is on my mind
If you do what I want you to
Baby, we’d be so fineOh, life could be a dream
If I could take you up in paradise up above
If you would tell me I’m the only one that you love
Life could be a dream sweetheart*
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by...If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for youLight up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so nearThat’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
Are you familiar with either of these stories? If so, what do you think of them? Let me know in the comments!
What a great post! I'm familiar with Mona Lisa Smile but it's been ages since I've seen it. I also love looking at collegiate life from that time period! Especially the '30s to the early '50s. The fashions and sports are so cool. I grew up watching the original b&w Absent Minded Professor and it's got those great Medfield basketball scenes. For this Halloween I wanted to dress up as a Medfield college student. 😄 I even found a vintage letterman sweater in the right colors with an M on it! I'm so excited! 😁 I just started grad school too, so it's perfect timing to dress as a college student from days of yore!