An Education

UK Release: 30th October 2009

Watched on TV: Sunday 15th May 2011

Rating: 12

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 1hr 35mins

IMDb Plot Summary: A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.

My Review: This really is one of the best films to come out of British cinema for a while. Carey Mulligan absolutely makes the film, lighting up every single frame she’s in. Without her this film would be a very different film and a lot less powerful. 

I’d watched the film when it first came out and I’d forgotten just how good it is. It makes you think about life and what lessons you learn. 

There is a beautiful line in the film between Jenny and Emma Thompson, who plays her Headmistress that goes something like this - “it’s not enough to educate us anymore, you’re got to tell us why!” It’s a really poignant moment, highlighting how well written the film is.

Peter Sarsgaard is wonderful as David, who comes into Jenny’s life at 16, just as she’s beginning to wonder about the world. He’s there to show her everything she so desperately wants to see. His friends are played by Dominic Cooper and Rosamund Pike, who adds a touch of humour as the ditzy blonde.

Overall, it’s a beautiful film that touches something within everyone who sees it. I urge you to see it if you can!

Score: 9/10