An Education

An Education (2009)
Directed by Lone Scherfig
Length: 100 minutes
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexual content, and for smoking




Dramatic films set in the past generally tend to be...shall we say a bit boring, especially if said motion picture is generating hefty Oscar buzz. Prior to seeing the latest "boring" drama piece, I had some reservations - specifically I expected good acting but an otherwise listless story. Fortunately, while An Education won't make my top movies list, the film proves to be a relatively enjoyable experience.

Set in the 1960s, An Education is the story of a young English Girl, Jenny as played by Oscar nominated Carey Mulligan (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Brothers). Jenny is a smart, pretty, and precocious 16-year old destined for Oxford University, a fate deemed destiny by her father Jack, as portrayed by the underrated Alfred Molina (The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time). As smart and dedicated as Jenny may be, she dreams of art, music, culture, and Paris: the exotic lifestyle she has never known and likely will not. This soon changes upon meeting David, a successful and suave playboy nearly twice her age. David, played by the exceptional Peter Sarsgaard (The Green Lantern, Knight and Day), soon wins over Jenny's heart by showing her the extravagant lifestyle she desires, promising a future as a housewife spent traveling to Paris and abroad. Though David may seem like the perfect gentleman and ideal husband, his secrets threaten to change Jenny's life for the worse.

As stated before, acting performances are an important component to any dramatic piece, specifically since the movie depends on the strength and depth of the characters more so than any other genre. Carey Mulligan is exceptional and well deserving of her nomination for her role as Jenny. Playing a 16-year old girl can be tricky business for any actress, but Mulligan is able to capture the essence of a young, intelligent woman still naive to the real ways of the world. Equally important and impressive is Peter Sarsgaard as David. Generally speaking, Sarsgaard is not the actor you think of when using the description suave, attractive playboy, yet he is able to create this "smooth operator" that has a hint of sliminess to him. Though the audience is unaware of David's secrets for a majority of the film, there is always a subtle aura of danger and wrong surrounding David - a predator threatening to destroy the future of the young and talented Jenny.

Beyond the performances, the question posed should be, "Will I be entertained?" While certainly not the most entertaining movie ever, An Education is a surprisingly charming film, with the right mix of emotions that come together for a relatively enjoyable experience. I will not promise you will love the movie; you may not even like it. But this is a fine example of a film that overcomes the fate of so many Oscar nominated dramas: it is not boring. The performances of Mulligan and Sarsgaard alone make the film worth seeing. I recommend a rental if only to see an actress that will be gracing us with her performances for years to come.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Jenny: "I don't want to lose my virginity to a piece of fruit."

Oscar Nominations:
Best Motion Picture
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Carey Mulligan
Best Adapted Screenplay