An Education
Based on a memoir by Lynn Barber, directed by Lone Scherfig, An Education tells a story of adventure punctuated with curiosity through the lens of a 16-year-old girl who feels the senses of a man twice her age. The movie is beautiful, romantic and entertaining. It is neither shabby nor painful and the setting is in the backdrop of 1961. The time when 16 year old lass knew quite less than what you will find now.
Are you thinking that the romance highlighted is between the 16 year-old-girl and the man? I am afraid not. It is the sheer joy within the girl to know the future; it’s a romance between her inner self and the happiness of living. There are elements of infatuation and few tear drops but essentially An education is films that will leave you feel the strength within to achieve in unknown lands.
Jenny is the 16 year old girl protected by her naïve parents within the sheltered home of London. The role is portrayed by Carey Mulligan and no one will belief that it is her first feature film. If you watch her you will fail to stop yourself by not comparing her demeanor and personality with Audrey Hepburn. Jenny’s parents are very proud as they have learnt that their daughter has won a scholarship to study in Oxford.
In the journey of her life, she meets David played by Sarsgaard who simply wins her over with his wit, humor, intellect and glamour. Jenny found his companionship more interesting and loving than the guys of her age. Jenny finds in him the door to know more, to understand and to feel the sophistication around. At some point Jenny also needed to realize that the intention of David was also to sleep with her.
The obvious question is why David took interest in her. It is because he could pour out his experiences and knowledge to a pretty girl who is too eager to know more. As the movie progresses David gives a shadowy tone to his character when he requested her parents to take Jenny with him to Paris.
Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan in An Education
The question that arises is whether you would risk your future just only to enjoy the life today? It’s a question that every young woman should ask themselves. They should value the worth of an experience with An Education.
The movie draws the resemblance from the memoir of Barber who was a journalist and it was her two year affair when she was only 16 with Simon who was in late 30s that garnered popularity and much talked about story in UK.
In her memoir she wrote that her relationship with Simon was An Education that her parents always wanted to give her. She wrote that since she saw everything from fine dining, antiques to classical music and she satiated her most cravings for sophistication. It was after this that she realized that in Oxford she would like to meet men of her age and marry someone to settle down forever with a note of thanks for Simon.
| Film | An Education |
|---|---|
| Cast | Carey Mulligan as Jenny Olivia Williams as Miss Stubbs Alfred Molina as Jack Cara Seymour as Majorie Matthew Beard as Graham Peter Sarsgaard as David Amanda Fairbank-Hynes as Hattie Ellie Kendrick as Tina Dominic Cooper as Danny |
| Director | Lone Scherfig |
| Writers | Lynn Barber Nick Hornby |
| Producers | Finola Dwyer Douglas Hansen Nick Hornby Wendy Japhet Jamie Laurenson Caroline Levy Amanda Posey James D. Stern David M. Thompson |
| Runtime | 1 Hour 35 Minutes |
| Rating | 4/5 |
Posted on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 5:48 pm