An Education

An Education has it all. A gripping true story, a screenplay by Nick Hornby and two leading actors who effervesce off the screen. It tells the tale of Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a girl who, all her life has been trained to go to Oxford but one day meets an older man David (Peter Sarsgaard) who changes her life.

Sarsgaard's performance is no less than outstanding. What could have been an almost creepy character is transformed into a suave, charming and utterly engaging one who we can almost sympathise with. The films success lies in this fine line between controversy and charisma. The child like quality to his behaviour is what ultimately attracts him to Jenny but the impending doom of their relationship is subtly placed in our minds from the start. The chemistry between the two leads is quite extraordinary, which is fuelled more by the embryonic talent of Carey Mulligan who portrays the innocence of a schoolgirl with real intent and recognition. Under the influence of Sarsgaard her exuberance really takes hold and Mulligan oozes the awkwardness and excitement that should be in a 16 year old. The supporting cast is also well suited with Dominic Cooper playing the dappa aquaintace of David, whose performance makes it clear that singing Abba songs is not all he is capable of, yet the charm that seems to come from most of his performaces at times becomes tediously expected.

Danish director Lone Sherfig has recreated the era with striking accuracy. The juxtaposition of Jenny's life being trapped in beige suburbia with tweed cushions and that of shimmering London and art gallery auctions is paramount in justifying Jenny's attraction to David. Often in the case that when a film is so well stylised the content suffers however in this instance An Education bucks the trend. The backdrop of early 60's London which is on the cusp of complete social change makes it very hard not to get caught up in the excitement of late night jazz clubs and trips to Paris. Like Jenny, we too are entranced by this 'other life', filled with champagne and culture rather than Latin and homework. It has been hailed as a 'coming of age' story but for me the film is much more than that. Jenny's journey is a startling one, with first love being portrayed as intensely and as subtly as it needs to be. It's never rushed but instead the pace is created by the performances which instil an authenticity and originality within the film and one which will no doubt be tipped for many awards.

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