An Education (2009)

basics...
I've been getting through a few films this week on account of being on 2 weeks sick leave, post hernia-op. Next up was An Education, a Nick Hornby scripted comedy-drama set in 1961, following Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a 16 year old school girl who's parents have dreams of her going to Oxford, until she meets David (Peter Sarsgaard) and realises life is about more than text books and university degrees.

brilliant...
It's probably been said a million times before but it's worth reiterating: Carey Mulligan is brilliant here. Her Jenny is self-assured and intelligent, but never annoying or pretentious. She clearly has a sensible head on her shoulders, so even though you know she's not making the right choice with grifter David you want her to make it work. You believe that anything Jenny turns her hand to will turn out well. Even though she speaks French randomly, reads philosophy and is really into 1960's French culture, she's not unlikable, quite the opposite in fact. She's also ably supported by a wonderful comic performance from Alfred Molina as her father (whose character has shades of Roger). I particularly enjoyed Rosamund Pike's very blonde Helen, girlfriend of Danny (Dominic Cooper), and new bestie of Jenny. She is comfortable in the world of David and Danny's dodgy dealings because she chooses to ignore and misunderstand it, while Jenny has a harder time reconciling what they have to do to live the lifestyle they have. 

To call An Education a 'coming-of-age' drama would be accurate but would be a disservice to the finely drawn characters and the intelligence of the script. Jenny's parents and teachers (including a fab extended couple of cameos from Emma Thompson) live in a world of university degrees and proper jobs, while Jenny craves the glamour and excitement of trips to Paris and concerts that David provides. It's a credit to Saarsgard that David is charming and likable... right up until the revelations that puncture Jenny's dreams anyway. 'Cos then he's just a dick.  

but...
I can't really think of any duff moments in the film. It's a shame that Jenny's cute school-boy suitor Graham (Matthew Beard) doesn't get a happy ending but hey ho. 

briefly...
A classy tale, beautifully acted, with an evocative period setting and with a few laughs too. Mulligan and Molina are the undoubted stars, with props to Hornby for a fresh script.