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When someone asks you if you want to go see a coming-of-age film set in 1961 suburban England starring a bunch of rather unknown actors, with a jazz soundtrack, let alone review it, the response comes without hesitation: ‘Look, I’m really busy.’ There are many things I, for one, would much rather do than watch another run of the mill film about a girl who falls in love, like jump out of a window. However, one only has to glance past the seemingly bland exterior to realise that An Education – a film adaptation of the memoir by British journalist, Lynn Barber – is worth your time (and not breaking your leg). In fact, it’s quite brilliant.



With a screenplay by Nick Hornby, An Education follows Jenny [Carey Mulligan], a sheltered 16 year old virgin and her relationship with David [Peter Sarsgaard], a playboy and man about town almost twice her age. Jenny’s life is cultureless and flat as a pancake until one rainy day David pulls up in his sexy sports car and, after explaining that he is a music lover, offers to shelter her Cello from the downpour. This seemingly kind gesture becomes a hilarious event when he fails to invite her in and instead lets her get frickin’ soaked. From that point on, she is won over. No longer is Jenny content for her life to be one of all work and no play, and she soon finds herself being given an education in hedonism, with David taking her to glamorous events and to meet friends, one of which is none other than C.S. Lewis. In comparison, the life her conservative parents have laid out for her – to attend Oxford and settle down with a nice man – just seems dire. Somehow, despite her parent’s justified weariness (and despite his being a ‘Jew’), David manages to charm Jenny’s parents into allowing him to whisk her away to Paris, where Jenny’s rose coloured glasses quickly falter. “It’s funny though isn’t it, all that poetry and all those songs, about something that lasts no time at all”, she ponders. Sarsgard’s performance is brilliant as he struts the line between seedy old man and flirty socialite perfectly.

The thematically complex plot thankfully doesn’t lecture, but instead affirms the idea that mistakes shouldn’t be regretted as, often, they make for fun memories. A wonderfully appropriate soundtrack, which echoes the characters’ sentiments precisely, helps to make this a truly enthralling film. The film showed at Sundance to critical acclaim and, remarkably, over 90% of reviews have been positive. However, plot, wonderful camera work and dialogue aside, the real reason to see An Education is for the actors’ stellar performances. Carey Mulligan carries the film, and has been compared to Audrey Hepburn; not a comparison made (Holly Go)lightly. So, do yourself a favour, shut that window tight, make your way down to the cinema and watch this memorable film. One thing’s for sure, you certainly won’t regret it.

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Only at the movies from October 22.