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Its 1961 and attractive, bright 16-year-old schoolgirl, Jenny (Mulligan) is poised on the brink of womanhood, dreaming of a rarefied, Gauloise-scented existence as she sings along to Juliette Greco in her Twickenham bedroom. Stifled by the tedium of adolescent routine, Jenny cant wait for adult life to begin. Meanwhile, shes a diligent student, excelling in every subject except the Latin that her father is convinced will land her a place at Oxford University where she is dreaming of going. On a rainy day no different to all the others, her suburban life is upended by the arrival of an unsuitable suitor, 30-ish David (Sarsgaard). Urbane and witty, David instantly unseats Jennys stammering schoolboy admirer, Graham (Beard). To her frank amazement, he even manages to charm her conservative parents Jack (Molina) and Marjorie (Seymour) and effortlessly overcomes any instinctive objections to their daughters older, Jewish suitor. Very quickly, David introduces Jenny to a glittering new world of classical concerts and late-night suppers with his attractive friend and business partner, Danny (Cooper) and Dannys girlfriend, the beautiful but vacuous Helen (Pike). David replaces Jennys traditional education with his own version, picking her up from school in his Bristol roadster and whisking her off to art auctions and smoky clubs. Under the pretext of an introduction to C.S. Lewis, David arranges to take Jenny on a weekend jaunt to Oxford with Danny and Helen. Later, using an ingenious mixture of flattery and fibbery, he persuades her parents to allow him to take their only daughter to Paris for her 17th birthday. David suggests that his Aunt Helen will once again act as a chaperone. Jack and Marjorie do not know that Jenny has chosen the date and place to lose her virginity. Paris is all that Jenny imagined it would be, sex with David somewhat less so. On her return to Twickenham, Jennys school friends are thrilled with her newfound sophistication but her headmistress (Thompson) is scandalised and her English teacher Miss Stubbs (Williams) is deeply disappointed that her prize pupil seems determined to throw away her evident gifts and certain chance of higher education. Just as the familys long-held dream of getting their brilliant daughter into Oxford seems within reach, Jenny is tempted by another kind of life. Will David be the making of Jenny or her undoing?
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46 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Marlyly
Format:DVD
Released in October 2009, An Education - A British coming of age film set in 1961 - has received much critical acclaim. Yet, despite eight BAFTA nominations, a nomination for a Golden Globe and numerous glowing reviews, this film seems to be relatively unknown amongst the masses, and now that I've watched it and I can clearly see why.
The film follows smart, talented and pretty schoolgirl Jenny who thinks she's got life sorted - she'll pass her exams, go to Oxford to study English Literature, and away from her controlling father she will listen to French music, have many cultured friends who she will talk to about very clever things all the time in French, and practice her cello whenever she wants to, etc. But one afternoon after an orchestra rehearsal, standing in a bus stop in the rain, she is offered a lift home by a charming older man (David) and so starts a romance which makes Jenny question the value of her Education.
The film explores many areas which; despite the film being set in the 1960s, are still relevant today. The questions Jenny asks herself about the importance of passing her exams and going to Oxford are echoes of thoughts I (and I'm sure many other teenagers) have had. The contrast between David, his glamorous friends and lifestyle (and whose only education was from the `university of life') and the `boring' life led by Jenny's English teacher and headmistress (both women with good degrees) is obvious, and as the viewer you can understand why Jenny makes her choices. But, the film's conclusion is smart, and without denying the temptation and rewards of the lifestyle David is offering Jenny, it goes on to show just why an education really is important for a young woman.
But, this isn't a film for everybody. It's a clever, subtle film exploring the value of learning with very little action and though there are opportunities for laughter, it is because of a dry and witty comment made by Jenny or David. However, for those who enjoy this kind of film (and I am definitely one of them) then `An Education' is one of the best films released this decade with great actors, a brilliant script and the power to make you question and change your views about education.
The film follows smart, talented and pretty schoolgirl Jenny who thinks she's got life sorted - she'll pass her exams, go to Oxford to study English Literature, and away from her controlling father she will listen to French music, have many cultured friends who she will talk to about very clever things all the time in French, and practice her cello whenever she wants to, etc. But one afternoon after an orchestra rehearsal, standing in a bus stop in the rain, she is offered a lift home by a charming older man (David) and so starts a romance which makes Jenny question the value of her Education.
The film explores many areas which; despite the film being set in the 1960s, are still relevant today. The questions Jenny asks herself about the importance of passing her exams and going to Oxford are echoes of thoughts I (and I'm sure many other teenagers) have had. The contrast between David, his glamorous friends and lifestyle (and whose only education was from the `university of life') and the `boring' life led by Jenny's English teacher and headmistress (both women with good degrees) is obvious, and as the viewer you can understand why Jenny makes her choices. But, the film's conclusion is smart, and without denying the temptation and rewards of the lifestyle David is offering Jenny, it goes on to show just why an education really is important for a young woman.
But, this isn't a film for everybody. It's a clever, subtle film exploring the value of learning with very little action and though there are opportunities for laughter, it is because of a dry and witty comment made by Jenny or David. However, for those who enjoy this kind of film (and I am definitely one of them) then `An Education' is one of the best films released this decade with great actors, a brilliant script and the power to make you question and change your views about education.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By J. Jillians
Format:Blu-ray
I really liked this. The screenplay is by Nick Hornby and, like all his books, he takes a low-key drama about quite ordinary people and turns it into a really witty and gripping story. The acting is superb on all fronts. All the other aspects of the film, such as the music and the portrayal of the 1960s setting (which looks really great on Blu-ray) are really well done. No one aspect of the film is absolutely amazing, but I thought the fact that every component of it is such high quality makes it an excellent and very watchable film.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Strongly recommended. As with many films, merely summarising the plot (about a teenage girl deceived but not ruined by an older fraudulent charmer) does not convey how well it is done.
Carrey Mulligan as the schoolgirl is really excellent. Her seducer is played by Peter Sarsgaard, an American playing a (Jewish) English character. He captures the British accent so perfectly that it is strange to hear him talking in his real accent in the interesting interviews and commentary 'extras'.
How the Scandinavian Director Lone Scherfig manages to 'get' Britain as it was in a very specific time in the very early sixties I do not know, but she does.
The film is set at the moment when the sixties have not yet started to swing, mini skirts and hippies not yet dreamed of, and Britain is mostly still a restrained, serious, post-war kind of place where headmistresses feel it their duty to expel any sixth former who loses her virginity, and 'coloured' immigrants are a new phenomenon. Yet there is a slight hint that many things may soon begin to change.
Good supporting performances from Olivia Williams as an English teacher, (strangely somewhat reminiscent of her previous role as an authority figure in Joss Whedon's science fiction series Dollhouse), Emma Thompson as the headmistress, and Alfred Molina as the young heroine's old-fashioned father.
Carrey Mulligan as the schoolgirl is really excellent. Her seducer is played by Peter Sarsgaard, an American playing a (Jewish) English character. He captures the British accent so perfectly that it is strange to hear him talking in his real accent in the interesting interviews and commentary 'extras'.
How the Scandinavian Director Lone Scherfig manages to 'get' Britain as it was in a very specific time in the very early sixties I do not know, but she does.
The film is set at the moment when the sixties have not yet started to swing, mini skirts and hippies not yet dreamed of, and Britain is mostly still a restrained, serious, post-war kind of place where headmistresses feel it their duty to expel any sixth former who loses her virginity, and 'coloured' immigrants are a new phenomenon. Yet there is a slight hint that many things may soon begin to change.
Good supporting performances from Olivia Williams as an English teacher, (strangely somewhat reminiscent of her previous role as an authority figure in Joss Whedon's science fiction series Dollhouse), Emma Thompson as the headmistress, and Alfred Molina as the young heroine's old-fashioned father.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
DVD
THIS IS A BRILLIANT FILM I LOVED IT,GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY,GREAT STORY LINE,I WANTED THE MOVIE TO BE LONGER I ENJOYED IT SO MUCH
Published 2 months ago by mrs tracey gilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superior!
s i m p l y d o e s n ' t g e t a n y b e t t e r !
Published 3 months ago by Christian Edlmayer
5.0 out of 5 stars
BBC Drama Is What BBC Do Best
I am so pleased to have purchased this great piece of British Drama. Starring roles are performed to perfection by Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan and Alfred Molina, but it is the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bob Weston
4.0 out of 5 stars
An encounter of the exciting but dangerous kind.
The main character is interesting and her rebellious attitude toward family and education makes for vivacious dialogue, sharp repartee and some tension. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Monique P.
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Education
A story of a sixteen year old schoolgirl studying to go to Oxford who is seduced by an older man. One of those films I wouldn't have bought if I hadn't rented it first. Read more
Published 4 months ago by B. Frost
2.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely Prissy Homage to University
The basic tenet of the film is that everyone you meet along the path to a First at Wadham is either a crook, paedo or no good.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
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What a great film! Really enjoyed story, great acting, there had to be a twist.
Although this wasn't my era, I too was swept off my feet by an older man & gave up trying in... Read more
Although this wasn't my era, I too was swept off my feet by an older man & gave up trying in... Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars
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I thoroughly enjoyed this film, the story line is so relatable and you really do feel as though you become apart of the story with the characters. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars
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This is an entrancing drama that's so good it can captivate even those who don't 'do' drama, like myself. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Benminx
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