An Education

• Director: Lone Scherfig
• Writer: Nick Hornby
• Cast: Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina
• Theatrical Release Date: October 9, 2009
• Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
• Festivals: Melbourne International Film Festival, London Film Festival
• Criticwire: B
• On The Web IMDB Entry

Synopsis: It’s 1961 and Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is an attractive, bright 16-year-old schoolgirl, poised on the brink of womanhood, dreaming of a rarefied, Gauloise-scented existence as she sings along to Juliette Greco in her bedroom. Stifled by the tedium of adolescent routine, Jenny can’t wait for adult life to begin. Meanwhile, she’s a diligent student, excelling in every subject except the Latin that her father is convinced will land her the place she dreams of at Oxford University. One rainy day, her suburban life is upended by the arrival of an unsuitable suitor, 30-ish David (Peter Sarsgaard). Urbane and witty, David instantly unseats Jenny’s stammering schoolboy admirer (Matthew Beard), and even manages to charm her conservative parents Jack (Alfred Molina) and Marjorie (Cara Seymour). Very quickly, David introduces Jenny to a glittering new world of classical concerts and late-night suppers with his friends, replacing Jenny’s traditional education with his own version, picking her up from school in his Bristol roadster and whisking her off to art auctions and smoky clubs. Jenny’s school friends are thrilled with her newfound sophistication but her headmistress (Emma Thompson) is scandalized and her English teacher Miss Stubbs (Olivia Williams) is deeply disappointed that her prize pupil seems determined to throw away her evident gifts and certain chance of higher education. Just as the family’s long-held dream of getting their daughter into Oxford seems within reach, Jenny is tempted by another kind of life. Will David be the making of Jenny or her undoing?