Review of An Education (2009) by Blake P — 13 Jul 2012

Jenny (Mulligan) is an average 16-year old schoolgirl, and a chance encounter with charming stranger David (Sarsgaard), turns her life upside-down. He invites her to dine with him at posh restaurants, go to jazz clubs, and more.

Jenny then meets his two friends (Pike, Cooper), and she finds that the three live a fun life. Soon both she and her parents are seduced by David's charms, and she continues to spend all of her time with the three; but before long David tries to pursue her romantically, which causes her to contemplate her future.

"An Education" is of course, going to go on the long list of "coming-of-age" flicks, but unlike some duds we've experienced in the past, it's instead funny and poignant that is penned brilliantly by screenwriter Nick Hornby.

Director Lone Scherfig perfectly captures '60s Britain, which helps much of the films mystique. There's quite a few hiccups that go on in the film, but if you look past those flaws, (I did), then you'll find that "An Education" is really very good.

The plot is unpredictable, and the scenes almost feel improvised because the characters go so well together. I particularly liked seeing Pike's "Helen" and Mulligan's "Jenny" relationship-- it creates the awkwardness of two different personalities clashing and I relished their scenes together.

But that's how must of the film is, due to the actors of course. Mulligan, who was an unknown at the time, gives a nice "debut", and her Jenny is very believable. We instantly care a lot about her character because so many of us are survivors of teen angst, and most of the decisions she would make are understandable, but Mulligan is so sly about it that she never once becomes some annoying teen character.

Instead, we take in Jenny like our own. Saarsgard is decent, but the supporting performances from Pike and Molina in particular are funny and provide a lot of extra depth. "An Education" is one of those Oscar films that isn't flashy, but even, cool.