An Education (Review)

An Education
(Scheduled to be released October 16, 2009.)

Directed By: Lone Sherfig
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Emma Thompson


What’s It About

Jenny (Mulligan) is a young girl who has a lot going for her academically until she meets an older man named David (Sarsgaard). They begin a romance that allows Jenny to see the world in a whole new light. She ditches her chance at Oxford to travel, eat at fine restaurants, and dance the night away, all thanks to the clever ways of David. Having the opportunities that neither her parents nor teachers ever had, she begins to question,” What’s an education worth if you’re not living?”

Thoughts

There is no reason why anyone should skip An Education. Like the old saying goes, “They don’t make them like this anymore!” Director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners) has crafted a smart film based in the 60’s that will seduce its audience just as the main character becomes entangled in the lifestyle that many of us could only dream of having. Since we are seeing the world through Jenny’s point of view, we are only allowed to know as much as she knows and to feel only what she feels. This is done through tight story telling that really doesn’t allow for any leaks.

Carey Mulligan is wonderful in this film. She plays Jenny with an innocent ignorance that can easily translate over to any young free spirited girl, who is too eager to grow up when in love. It wouldn’t be farfetched to say that Carey could very well be the Audrey Hepburn of our generation. Just looking at the pics should give you an indication of her strong resemblance to the late great actress. This was a great performance from someone who we will be seeing a lot more of.

Aside from Carey, the rest of the cast does a fantastic job. It is always a treat to see Alfred Molina onscreen. He plays Jenny’s weak minded, high tempered father in a role that will both have you laughing and feeling sorry for the old man. Peter Sarsgaard as David was hypnotizing. He charms his way through every scene he’s in and you’re just as charmed by him as Jenny is. Dominic Cooper and Rosamund Pike are great together as Danny and Helen, David and Jenny’s close friends and there is a performance by Emma Thompson that’s short but descent.

The cinematography for the most part is kept at arm’s length of the characters so you have this sense that you’re hanging out with them as everything is unfolding. That doesn’t mean that there are no beautiful scenes to be seen, there are, but part of what works for a film like this is feeling close to the characters and the camera work helps keep that illusion.

There is a lot I would like to say in respect to the storyline, but a big part of this journey is experiencing everything at the exact same time as our main character. An Education has won awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and has been receiving critical acclaim from critics. Do you really need another reason to go see this opening day?

Memorable Moment

Montage of a day in Paris with David and Jenny.

FYI

Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike both starred together in the film adaption of Pride and Prejudice. Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams, Sally Hawkins, and Dominic Cooper all played roles in films based on Jane Austen’s literary works.

Score

8 out of 10