Review of An Education (2009) by James S — 27 Jul 2011

A decent enough British thriller which is more memorable for it's performances and script than its coming of age story.

Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarrsguard and Alfred Molina all stand out from the rest with engaging and witty portrayals. Molina in particular has a clutch of humourous lines which he delivers wonderfully.

Carey Mulligan is Jenny, the Oxford University bound school girl who's chance encounter with Sarrsguard's David leads her into a high London social life in the early 1960's. The film is mostly about the relationship between Jenny and David but it's main strength lies in the relationships each of them forge with the people who surround the other. Peter effortlessly charms Jenny's parents while Jenny's relationship with David's friends is cautious but compelling. Mulligan and Sarrsguard do share a certain amount of on screen chemistry but as their relationship is the focus of the film and it's not quite as interesting as what is going on around them, it falters from time to time.

Nick Hornby's script is funny and warm even if it rushes from one moment to the next and the plot reveals fall a little flat. The finale feels a little predictable but will satisfy those in search of the feel good ending.

The cast deserve all the praise that was heaped on them for this movie. It is a lovely little film with some wonderful performances. A light Sunday afternoon tea of a movie.