Review of An Education (2009) by Tibor B — 17 Feb 2011
A charming coming of age film set in the early 60s as a young Sixth former faces some life lessons when a whirlwind romance with an exciting older man puts her bright Oxbridge academic future in jeopardy.
Nick Hornby's script is excellent, despite hitting very conventional beats, perfectly capturing the generation gap between parents and youngsters that would widen further once Britain really started to swing, the ennui of the suburbs and the seductive thrills that the world has to offer.
The cast are uniformly marvellous, Mulligan deserves all the hype with a wonderful open, intelligent charm and Alfred Molina also stands out as the insecure, but loving father. Director Scherfig and Hornby keep the tone bright and breezy, and the one shift into heartbreak is given a very conventional and uplifting ending.
Some may feel this is a bit too neat and tidy, undermining the harder life lessons learnt, but it is in keeping with the films lighter tone - grim social drama this isn't and better for it.
This review of An Education (2009) was written by Tibor B on 17 Feb 2011.
An Education has generally received very positive reviews.
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