Film Review: An Education

I was initially drawn to this 1960's coming-of-age story because of screenwriter Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About A Boy, Fever Pitch) and actor Peter Sarsgaard. An Education was adapted by Hornby from Lynn Barber's memoirs.

Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is an exceptional 16-year-old student headed for Oxford and loving all things French. Living in surburban London and stifled by a father who does not participate in the life around him, she is understandably smitten when David (Sarsgaard) approaches her - a handsome older man in a sports car with a broad knowledge of everything Jenny is anxious to experience.

I suppose one might rightly feel uncomfortable at the age difference and by what is likely to come (and did). I admit I didn't. The intelligence of Jenny and the man-child sweetness of David suggests they are closer in age than they are. It felt much less about the sex than Jenny discovering what she believes to be sexy and her desire to experience what, to date, she knows only through books. What did cause me pause was how easily Jenny's parents allowed it to happen.

While I thought I knew where it was headed, I admit it took me by surprise. I always respect that in a film. Yet, the strength of this film is in its performances. While Mulligan is older than 16, as I suspected, her performance remains believable. Best of all, it appears to be an intelligent film written for an intelligent adult audience. I would expect nothing less from Hornby.

If handing out stars, I give this film five of five.  View trailer here.