An Education (2009)
Posted by Branden on November 15, 2009
If people die the moment that they graduate, then surely it’s the things we do beforehand that count.
– Jenny
When I posted the trailer for An Education a couple of months ago, I eagerly anticipated this movie. I mentioned on my Oscar Watchers group when I posted the release dates of film that I was so excited that I could pee. This movie has a Metacritic score of 85. It’s a fantastical account of a girl that is not having an academic education, but an education of life.
Newcomer Carey Mulligan gives an Oscar caliber performance as Jenny, a 16-year-old private school girl living in 1961 Twikenham, London. On a rainy walk home from school orchestra practice, a car pulls up.
A suave real estate agent, David (Peter Sarsgaard) offers her a ride. She gladly accepts it. In the car ride, they chat about Jenny’s plans to be an independent woman when she gets her grades up to attend Oxford University. They strike an immediate accord with each other.
Jenny’s father, Jack (Alfred Molina) wants to know where his money is going for her education. That is his only intention in her daughter’s life. Bumping into David around the neighborhood, David wants Jenny to meet his friends, Danny and Helen (Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike), but the problem is that Jack wants let her out. David comes by to sweet talk Jack and Marjorie (Cara Seymour) into their little adventures. David is Jenny’s outlet in having the freedom that she wanted.
As Jenny and David’s relationship continues to grow, Miss Stubbs (Olivia Williams) and Headmistress (Emma Thompson) become foils for Jenny when she talks about her budding relationship with David. She tries to warn Jenny not to be caught in the ways of love. She needs to educate herself first, before pursuing the life of a wife and mother. Soon, Jenny’s world is turned upside down when she learns that David is not what he appears to be.
It’s a bubbly romp that transported me to that time with the music, the fashion and the locales displayed on screen. The performances were solid from most of the cast. Carey Mulligan gives off an Audrey Hepburn vibe when she was dolled up. The movie’s plot is typical with a May/December relationship. You could guess what is going on.
Judgment: This movie should not be missed. Watch out for star being born.
Rating: ****
mcarteratthemovies said
Carey Mulligan looks to be a promising newcomer and I’ve always been a fan of Peter Sarsgaard and Alfred Molina, so I’m sold. Soon as it hits the cheap theater, I’m there.
Branden said
I think you would really enjoy it. It’s a harmless movie about a May/December relationship. Carey is SO good in the movie. I hope she and Molina get a nom.