AN EDUCATION (2009)

Finally I managed to get back on to my Lovefilm choices, they had somehow taken a bit of a back seat and I was starting to wonder whether my monthly outlay was worth it. However, when An Education landed on my desk at work I knew I had to make some time to see it. Plus it was one that I could easily persuade the girlfriend to watch.



Smothered with critical praise and award nominations after it's release last year, it's the simple coming of age story of a 16 year old girl (Carey Mulligan) in 1961 Suburban London, on track for a stellar education at Oxford University before she falls for the seductive charms of of Peter Sarsgaard's older man. Her life changes and she finds herself at a crossroads, academic education or 'The University of Life'.

Based on the memoirs of British journalist Lynn Barber, and the screenplay written by British novelist Nick Hornby, it's the acting cast that make this film such a pleasure to watch and make it worthy of the praise that it has received. Carey Mulligan, as Jenny, the young girl and lead character is truly fantastic. She was up for an Oscar, and could not have been far off grabbing it, for her portrayal of a girl going from wide eyed innocence to thinking she knows it all as she wrestles with the right way to grow into her adult life. She is equally at ease at playing a geeky, cello playing college girl as she is as a maturing socialite wining and dining in Paris. It's her breakthrough performance and it's clear she has a bright future ahead of her.

Alfred Molina, as Jenny's father is once again fantastic. He represents the now very dated views of the only way that a woman can succeed is to excel academically or to meet a successful man. Even though his opinions are practically prehistoric and is often seen as the baddie of the piece, it is a testament to Molina that he manages to be so likeable. You also feel a great deal of sympathy for him as he is convinced that there is little worth doing outside of their suburban bubble, while Jenny boasts of eating great food, and drinking fine wine. He wants the best for his daughter but he does not know what that is.

Peter Sarsgaard is no doubt in line for the big time as well based on this performance. He is charming and appealing as Jenny's (much) older suitor David, despite the relationship itself being undoubtedly open to misinterpretation. His slick manners and the ease with which he deals with people seduces Jenny despite it being clear that he is not all that he seems and the way he earns his crust is also far from honest.

The cast list goes on - Dominic Cooper as David's good friend and 'business partner', does plenty with what he is given. Like David he is amiable and fun, but you are exposed to moments of aggression that leave you in no doubt that he is capable of being far from nice. Rosamund Pike is good as Cooper's ditsy  wife, representing a possible glimpse as to what Jenny's life will become if she choose to enrol in 'The University of Life'.

Then just when you think that the roster must be complete, Emma Thompson turns up as the Headmistress of Jenny's school. She only appears for two scenes but it's a worthy addition and she pulls it off without trying.

The film is well made too, Lone Scherfig doing a tidy job with the material, but she admirably pulls off a reconstruction of 1960's London. Each old car and dated shop front making you feel as though you are there, transported back in time. Nick Hornby must get a mention as well for the screenplay. Having not read the source material I'm not sure how good an adaptation it is, but there is enough good stuff in there to suggest he may have a new penning career there for the taking.

It's not all positives though, there are some issues that stop it from being as good as it promises to be. Once the relationship takes a turn for the worst and Jenny's choices are shown to be far from right, things become very dark very swiftly. However, just as quickly as things went badly, they all turn around for the better again. All of a sudden. An entire academic year is condensed into 5 minutes of screen time and we all live happily ever after. It's not that I dislike a happy ending (although they do irritate me), it's just that this all felt too neat. She learnt her lesson, made it right, and everything is sweetness again. All in the space of ten minutes.

Also, despite the performances being brilliant, the characters themselves are slightly two dimensional, seemingly there to represent a particular point of view of political stance. Only Dominic Cooper and Peter Sarsgaard, other than Jenny herself, have anything resembling depth.

These criticisms though do not detract from what is essentially a lovely, very watchable film, with a brilliant cast, presenting important subject matter in a polished slice of cinema.

We can all relate to it, we've all been a young person convinced that we all know better than anyone else, only to be shown that our innocent naivety will see us caught out by someone else more wily, leaving us to eat our words in the end.