An Education (2009) - Film Review

Starring Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard, An Education is a British coming-of-age film directed by Lone Scherfig and featuring a very well-crafted screenplay by novelist Nick Hornby. It is based on a memoir by Lynn Barber and follows the story of a young school girl, Jenny who is well-educated, beautiful and smart. However, Jenny wants to indulge herself in more than just books and learning. She wants to experience culture in a society that is rather boring. In one of the opening scenes of the movie, Jenny is instructed by her father (portrayed by Alfred Molina) to focus on her education. "Then what about my hobby?" Jenny asks. Her hobby, by the way, is playing the cello. "Well, hobbies are hobbies. There is no need to practice them!" her father replies. Then after orchestra practice one fateful afternoon, a heavy downpour of rain is the set-up in which Jenny is introduced to Peter Sarsgaard's character, David Goldman. David, an older man who too has a love for music immediately charms Jenny and captivates her with his love for music, books and cultural excitement that Jenny longs to experience. What follows then is a movie which leads Jenny on a major detour from her schooling down a path of weekend getaways, art auctions and city excursions of beautiful places like Paris. In the end however, Jenny realizes that education, as boring as it can be, is important and ultimately provides stability for one's life. But of course she realizes that after several mishaps that I will not reveal so that I won't spoil the movie for anyone.

The movie is beautifully shot, with an antique classy 1960's tone to it that made the cultural environment all the more appealing and believable. Carey Mulligan gives a top-notch performance, one that makes you feel for the character and become emotionally attached to her, which is no doubt why she got a Best Actress nomination for this role. I cannot express how much I loved the script as well. The writing was simply captivating, and the story, a beautiful masterpiece. I also loved the costumes. Jenny's transformation from the book-smart school girl to a culturally sophisticated woman was masterfully displayed in her wardrobe. The soundtrack was also very fitting, with a plethora of Jazz Age tunes and a notable song by Duffy ("Smoke Without Fire") featured as well. An Education was a artistically magnificent film, and goes down as one of my top films in the year of 2009.