Beauty and Ugliness: Mona Lisa Smile v.s. And the Spring Comes

[921649141]

Wu Yiran

Here are two movies from different cultures and period, showing the common theme. Mona Lisa Smile directed by Mike Newell, who always used kind of elegant British style, presented the audience with a scroll of beauty, where the heroin was acted by Julia Roberts. In contrast, And the Spring Comes whose director Gu Changwei was adept in employing inconspicuous details to express creative ideas, bestowed a melody of desperation upon the viewers, in which the heroin was performed by Jiang Wenli. Different from Julia, Jiang, a good-looking actress was purposefully uglified in the film.

An art history teacher Katherine, who had just graduated, was introduced to a traditional girl school, where she imparted her progressive thoughts to her students. Though confronted with tough barriers, she used her innocent heart and exclusive teaching techniques, succeeding in free some girls’ ingrained notions. Nonetheless, Wang Cailing held a great dream with poor conditions. She was eager to be a singer in Beijing, or even in Paris, yet becoming a vocal music teacher in a small town where none understood her talents. And here were some others with the similar destiny, through ups and downs, could not get close to their aims at last.

What is beauty? What is ugliness? Attention caught by the surface could lie sometimes. Generally, the former demonstrates more beautiful an image than the latter from settings since it is more bright in color unlike the dark and dim style in the other. But the bright might signify the formidable conventions, seemingly marvelous but intangibly strangling. The dark and dim should serve as a foil to the art worker’s tough struggle under the heavy pressure. Also, such the pretty smiling Katherine versus the purposefully uglified Wang was definitely engraved. However, was Katherine beautiful when she forced her thoughts on Joan to choose career? Was Wang ugly in her dreams with kindness and fortitude? Beauty and ugliness could be converted to each other, in which the directors did an impressive job.

What is beauty? What is ugliness? “I would rather have one bite of a fresh peach than a whole basket of rotten ones.” answered by Wang. In other words, even if someone was covered in dirt, she should have her right to be pure and clean, to pursue the beauty. And Betty could not help wondering, “Mona Lisa is smiling. Is she happy?” when she was restricted by her families’ demands. Beauty here means freedom of the women. And it could have other meanings if applied to others, like Hu Jinquan the acceptance, Joan the independent option. In this way, it is not difficult to define the beauty and ugliness. When someone believed what she court was true and worthy to spare no effort to procure, what was beauty; otherwise, what was ugliness.

What is beauty? What is ugliness? It depends on the standard of situation. To be more specific, this must be accounted not only the intrinsic character of the object but also the extrinsic aptitude of the subject. During the 1950s in America and the 1980s in China, it was believed that a good wife must be a girl’s ultimate. But how could the women in the USA managed to fight for their values whereas those in China did not? After all, China had been reforming and opening up. Or maybe the enlightenment of feminism in America had more power? The reasons can be picked out from the movies. Wellesley’s tradition was no doubt the most conventional but its education was extraordinarily impressive, begetting the last scene of students escorting teacher’s car going away in great gratitude and worship. Compared to the upper class cultivation, the small town could not have much access to the art, let alone the progressive feminism. Admittedly, the innocent folks should not be to blame in this way since they were so distant from the few Wangs who held great dreams. They could not discern beauty from ugliness. And that is why they left away from beautiful show performed by art workers one after another when facing the snow.

Beauty can be one’s appearances and virtues; also can be one’s unyielding spirits. Ugliness can be one’s envy and innocence; also can be one’s inactive instincts. It must be too demanding that everyone was able to scent out the beauty from ugliness in time. Nonetheless, that could not be an excuse. If the beauty is definitely beautiful in itself, it will ends with beauty acknowledged. What the ones who are not accessible or able to understand the beauty require doing is keep the heart of reverence and try to perceive the beauty’s beauty in any way possible. Regardless of Mona Lisa smile or And the Spring Comes, they both have beauty and ugliness, which is why the writer recommends you to watch.

[1848800785]

The structure and theme of the film review are vivid. It focuses on the theme of “beauty and ugliness”. The first two paragraphs give an introduction of the two films. The rest paragraphs are all around about “ What is beauty? What is ugliness?” .
The author discussed the conversion of beauty and ugliness, the diversity of beauty and ugliness and the standard of beauty and ugliness. The review also gives some examples, such as the lines of Wang and Betty, to compare and contrast the differences and similarities between two films. Moreover, from the review, we can see that the author contrast the lighting and camera shots of the two films. At last, the review concludes that beauty and ugliness can be one’s appearances, virtues, spirits and so on. Generally, the review is complete and the author has a unique insight of the two films.
However, I think the last but one paragraph focuses more on feminism rather than the theme of beauty and ugliness. This review will be much better if you could modify this paragraph.

[nlr5191]

This essay is very clear in its argument. That said, I think it deals in many generalities. The writer opens with general statements about aesthetics without exploring the concept of beauty until much further into the essay. For this reason, I think the essay would benefit from using the discussion in the first paragraph. I wouldn't take anything out of the essay's content, I would just move the parts of the argument around a bit.

[921649141]

Hello, Nate. I think your advice is valid and reasonable. But I mention the beauty as “ a scroll of beauty”. Maybe that discussion isn’t very strong to distinguish. Could I get some methods of introduction or discussion from you? I am looking forward to talking to you again.

[921649141]

Hi, Hu Yi. I believe you did read my article with sincerity, for what you said directly hit the merits and demerits. Thanks a lot. And I would follow your suggestions.

[mlc5948]

Hello Wu Yiran

I believe your essay has a strong argument and your introduction indeed helps the reader understand and refresh their memory as they continue reading your analysis. Adding quotes from different segments throughout both films adds concrete evidence to your argument as it’s more than just an opinionated view as there is quoted proof. Overall I would say your essay follows the criteria and you add your own analysis through the theme Beauty and Ugliness while discussing some cinematic approaches such as lighting which adds more than just a transcript analysis of the films quotes. I read the review comment from HuYi and I would have to agree that I feel as though the last paragraph could be slightly modified to validate your main argument as it’s the conclusion you want to focus on the main theme of Beauty and Ugliness.
I know contacting can be difficult since we are in different time zones but I thought I would offer you my Wechat ID. I’ve had a Wechat for quite some time and we can discuss more about the essay or about each other's cultures! Wechat ID: notkenzi

[nlr5191]

If you'd like some further discussion, my email is nlr5191@psu.edu. Unfortunately I don't have WeChat.

[921649141]

Hi,Nate. I have already sent an email to you. To be honest, there are a lot in your essay that require improving. I wish you may focus on one point in your essay. You may share your thoughts about the two movies or what you want to express with me when you are free.

[1848800785]

Hi Wu Yi Ran, I am so happy to chat with you. You also give us some useful advice! Thanks, we can make progress together!

[mlc5948]

Wu Yiran

Here are two movies from different cultures and period, showing the common theme. Mona Lisa Smile directed by Mike Newell, who always used kind of elegant British style, presented the audience with a scroll of beauty, where the heroin was acted by Julia Roberts. In contrast, And the Spring Comes whose director Gu Changwei was adept in employing inconspicuous details to express creative ideas, bestowed a melody of desperation upon the viewers, in which the heroin was performed by Jiang Wenli. Different from Julia, Jiang, a good-looking actress was purposefully uglified in the film.

An art history teacher Katherine, who had just graduated, was introduced to a traditional girl school, where she imparted her progressive thoughts to her students. Though confronted with tough barriers, she used her innocent heart and exclusive teaching techniques, succeeding in free some girls’ ingrained notions. Nonetheless, Wang Cailing held a great dream with poor conditions. She was eager to be a singer in Beijing, or even in Paris, yet becoming a vocal music teacher in a small town where none understood her talents. And here were some others with the similar destiny, through ups and downs, could not get close to their aims at last.

What is beauty? What is ugliness? Attention caught by the surface could lie sometimes. Generally, the former demonstrates more beautiful an image than the latter from settings since it is more bright in color unlike the dark and dim style in the other. But the bright might signify the formidable conventions, seemingly marvelous but intangibly strangling. The dark and dim should serve as a foil to the art worker’s tough struggle under the heavy pressure. Also, such the pretty smiling Katherine versus the purposefully uglified Wang was definitely engraved. However, was Katherine beautiful when she forced her thoughts on Joan to choose career? Was Wang ugly in her dreams with kindness and fortitude? Beauty and ugliness could be converted to each other, in which the directors did an impressive job.

What is beauty? What is ugliness? “I would rather have one bite of a fresh peach than a whole basket of rotten ones.” answered by Wang. In other words, even if someone was covered in dirt, she should have her right to be pure and clean, to pursue the beauty. And Betty could not help wondering, “Mona Lisa is smiling. Is she happy?” when she was restricted by her families’ demands. Beauty here means freedom of the women. And it could have other meanings if applied to others, like Hu Jinquan the acceptance, Joan the independent option. In this way, it is not difficult to define the beauty and ugliness. When someone believed what she court was true and worthy to spare no effort to procure, what was beauty; otherwise, what was ugliness.

What is beauty? What is ugliness? It depends on the standard of situation. To be more specific, this must be accounted not only the intrinsic character of the object but also the extrinsic aptitude of the subject. During the 1950s in America and the 1980s in China, it was believed that a good wife must be a girl’s ultimate. But how could the women in the USA managed to fight for their values whereas those in China did not? After all, China had been reforming and opening up. Or maybe the enlightenment of feminism in America had more power? The reasons can be picked out from the movies. Wellesley’s tradition was no doubt the most conventional but its education was extraordinarily impressive, begetting the last scene of students escorting teacher’s car going away in great gratitude and worship. Compared to the upper class cultivation, the small town could not have much access to the art, let alone the progressive feminism. Admittedly, the innocent folks should not be to blame in this way since they were so distant from the few Wangs who held great dreams. They could not discern beauty from ugliness. And that is why they left away from beautiful show performed by art workers one after another when facing the snow.

Beauty can be one’s appearances and virtues; also can be one’s unyielding spirits. Ugliness can be one’s envy and innocence; also can be one’s inactive instincts. It must be too demanding that everyone was able to scent out the beauty from ugliness in time. Nonetheless, that could not be an excuse. If the beauty is definitely beautiful in itself, it will ends with beauty acknowledged. What the ones who are not accessible or able to understand the beauty require doing is keep the heart of reverence and try to perceive the beauty’s beauty in any way possible. Regardless of Mona Lisa smile or And the Spring Comes, they both have beauty and ugliness, which is why the writer recommends you to watch.

I’m going to type a few minors errors/ corrections/ suggestions to you, these are again very minor so your audience can still understand your essay regardless if it is corrected or not. The first sentence in the first paragraph, “Here are two movies from different cultures and period, showing the common theme.” the wording is a bit strange to me because ‘here’ is first, if it was my own paper I would say “Movies are made from different cultures and periods yet they share a common theme.” I would just tweak this sentence slightly, it’s nothing extremely huge that changes the meaning, but it sounds a bit better/ flows better than your original. You can probably alter it in a similar way if you don’t want to use my suggestion.

In the second paragraph, “An art history teacher Katherine” I would change this sentence by adding her last name, so I would add ‘Watson’ after Katherine. It’s more proper as it’s her full name and some characters within the film call her Ms. Watson throughout the production.

I hope these suggestions can assist you with your final draft! I know they are very small changes. Your essay was already great so these suggestions can help it flow more. Thank you for reading and thank you for talking to me throughout this exchange.