Other examples are the Asian and Hispanic/Latino categories - each with many unique cultures thrown together into one box. On the other hand, some families have lived in the U.S. for so many generations, they cannot trace their origins to a single country, so they identify as a color. They do not understand those of us whose ancestry traces back a few generations at most to one country. Then again, the same could be said for Italians in America. I remember the older Italians identified with their own regional groups.
Back to the movie, yes, I can picture Katherine Ross as Kay. I never watched Scent of a Woman - only a scene or two - but I could picture Duvall in that part, too.
Also, I agree with you that Sofia Coppola fit the role of Mary, at least much better than Winona Ryder ever could have.
The scene with Mary (Sofia) and her cousin (Andy Garcia) making gnocchi or cavatelli with their entwined hands was so sensual—they were falling in love—or at least in lust. Unforgettable.