Question: What does the title have to do with the story, other than the reference to a work of art? I know many people think that the real Mona Lisa has a mysterious smile, but does that have anything to do with the film?
Chosen answer: There is a short discussion (I believe between Kirsten Dunst and Julia Roberts) about things not always being what they seem. They are speaking about the girls' lives, but it also is symbolic of the Mona Lisa smile. Whether she is really smiling is left up to the person viewing the portrait: is she smiling because she is happy? Is she trying to cover up grief/sorrow? Is she smiling at all?
Answer: What I do know is that back in the 50s, it was standard for girls to get married after high school. However, these girls were supposed to be smart and attended Wellesley University, which is a shame if they don't embrace the opportunity for higher education to make more out of their lives. Since it is known that not all women who married have a happy ending in their lives, they will struggle to survive if they have children to support, besides worrying about alimony and child support. What I know is that if I had had their scholarship, I would not have tossed it aside due to the advantages they would have after finishing college. Unfortunately, I didn't have many options due to growing up poor, but even when someone asked me to marry, I saw things from a different perspective because of my mother's ignorance and desperation to marry a man much older, so she left home due to marriage. I chose not to marry but to finish high school so I could obtain a job and work towards my goal of a car and apartment.