Danish director Lone Scherfig enjoys a modest following among specialty film fans thanks to her 2000 foreign-language comedy "Italian for Beginners." Scherfigs latest film, the fantastic coming-of-age drama An Education stands tall as the breakout of her career, the rare art-house movie that shows potential as a mainstream favorite thanks to quality storytelling by veteran novelist and screenwriter Nick Hornby and a career-making lead performance by newcomer Carey Mulligan.
Jenny (Mulligan) is a teenage girl in 1961 suburban London who sees a slot at Oxford as her best shot at escaping the middlebrow lives of her parents Jack (Alfred Molina) and Marjorie (Cara Seymour). Everything changes once Jenny meets David (Peter Sarsgaard), a mysterious, older Jewish man who dazzles Jenny with fancy nightclubs, plush restaurants and a trip to Paris. Suddenly, Jenny has to choose between a luxurious life with David or remaining true to her original plans for Oxford.
Hornby expands author Lynn Barbers original story, based on her own life, from a short article in Granta to a fully realized screenplay. Hornby may be better known for his male-oriented stories High Fidelity and About A Boy but he understands the timeless themes at the heart of Barbers tale and 16-year-old Jenny in particular. Will Jenny look beyond all the glamour around her and make a wise choice?
Lone Scherfig, working with cameraman John De Borman and production designer Andrew McAlpine, perfectly recreates 1961 England with all its drabness intact. An Education occurs before the excitement of Londons swinging sixties, which is an important part of the film.
Scherfig also generates strong performances from her impressive ensemble. Cara Seymour and Alfred Molina are perfect as Jenny's conservative parents. Emma Thompson dazzles in her brief scenes as Jenny's school headmistress. Olivia Williams is a much-appreciated voice of reason as Jenny's teacher Miss Stubbs. Dominic Cooper is charismatic as Danny, David's friend and business partner. Rosamund Pike uses her trademark beauty to great effect as Danny's bubbly girlfriend Helen.
Peter Sarsgaard, the best-known face of the ensemble, balances menace and charm as the mysterious David. Theres never any doubt that he has what it takes to win over a free spirit like Jenny.
The sweetest surprise of the film belongs to British actress Carey Mulligan as Jenny, a schoolgirl who wants to be seen as a sophisticated adult. Granted, Scherfig and Hornby give Mulligan great material but she is more than up to the task. Jennys story is one of heartache, drama and some key, much-appreciated laughs. Hers is a demanding role but Mulligan (Pride & Prejudice, When Did You Last See Your Father?) delivers with charisma, wit and beauty. Its the most anyone could hope for from a rising star.
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Cast: Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Emma Thompson
Screenwriter: Nick Hornby, from a memoir by Lynn Barber
Director: Lone Scherfig
Producers: BBC Films and Endgame Entertainment
Running Time: 100 min.
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: Oct. 9, 2009
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