Learning Doesn’t Always Have to Happen in the Classroom

Carey Mulligan illustrates the perfect combination of innocence, sophistication and intelligence as 16-year-old schoolgirl, Jenny Miller. With much anticipation for adulthood, Jenny hopes to attend Oxford University upon graduation. Her parents are already envisioning their one and only daughter opening her acceptance letter. Jenny’s bright future takes the sidelines however, as her mind suddenly becomes focused elsewhere. This coming of age drama set in suburban London 1961, is based on a true story found in the bestselling autobiography of the same title by Lynn Barber.

Despite Jenny’s talents she is having trouble succeeding in Latin and dating. A boy at school named Graham (Matthew Beard) has always had his eyes set on Jenny but she doesn’t necessarily reciprocate this feeling, however. Just to please her parents she will hang out with him here and there and even invite him to her birthday dinner but that is about it. He is kind but socially awkward. Besides, Jenny soon has her eyes on someone else…

One rainy day, Jenny is walking home from school in the pouring rain and sees a car slowly pulling up alongside her. She doesn’t recognize this man, but he is kind enough to offer her a ride. Thankful but cautious, Jenny asks if she can just put her instrument in his car to save it from being ruined while she walks alongside it. He agrees and before we know it they strike up quite a conversation. Now, more comfortable with the situation, Jenny jumps into the car for the remainder of the ride and soon learns that this man, David Goldman is over twice her age. Peter Sarsgaard Jarhead (2005) who plays the cultured, charming David is actually an Illinois-born actor! You wouldn’t guess this though as his English-accent and demeanor are spot on.

The large age gap certainly isn’t an issue for either one of them. Before we know it, David has introduced Jenny into an unfamiliar world – from attending ritzy clubs and flying to Paris on the weekends to enjoying concerts and fine dining with David’s classy business partner, Danny (Dominic Cooper) and his glamorous girlfriend, Helen (Rosamund Pike). This charming lifestyle comes with a price, however, and Jenny realizes this after finding herself in the midst of a ‘transaction’ one day. David, Danny and Helen steal expensive pieces artwork and furniture and sell them for outrageous amounts to fund their elegant existence. Although Jenny was upset upon realizing her “friends” were con artists it still wasn’t enough of a warning for her.

Despite him being a distraction, David cleverly wins over Jenny’s parents Jack (Alfred Molina) and Marjorie (Olivia Williams). They are overly impressed by his established and successful lifestyle. Soon, it seems as though her father’s strong wishes for Oxford have been taken over with his obsession of his daughter marrying rich. Once Jenny’s dream of being accepted into Oxford is finally approaching she also learns about something new…more than she ever hoped to learn. And this time, her Oxford-level intellect can’t save her.

An Education is directed by Lone Scherfig and written by Nick Hornby, an award- winning author of five international best sellers inspiring filmmakers worldwide. His writing abilities certainly show in this film, as his screenplay is brilliant, vigilant and clever.

This film is a life lesson and worth a second look to discover all of the nuances. As the audience, we feel for Jenny as we watch her jump on the rollercoaster of love and face the many unexpected challenges of adulthood. It is a friendly reminder to all, that if something seems to good to be true – it probably is! This film has already won two Sundance Film Festival Awards among 12 other wins and 44 nominations. It is surely Oscar material as Mulligan’s performance is outstanding.

Bottom Line? A handsomely crafted cinematic gem!

An Education is nominated for three Academy Award nominations including Best Actress, Best Film and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Jessica Aymond © October 16, 2009