At the half way point of this film, I was in love. I loved the story. I loved the look, the feel, the tone and the dialogue. And I loved Carey Mulligan, who becomes an overnight megastar with her first performance. “An Education” had greatness within its grasp… but just let it slip away in the final third. Nevertheless, it is still one of the very best films of 2009.
Mulligan plays Jenny, a 16 year old school girl in 1961 England — Twickenham to be exact. She is the only child of a boring middle class family. She attends an average school. She has plans for Oxford University and daydreams about glamor and Paris and art and elegant restaurants. Aside from her extraordinarily keen intellect, she couldn’t be more typical if she tried.
Then one day, while waiting at a bus stop in the pouring rain, she meets a handsome older stranger who offers her a ride in his maroon sports car. His charming pick up line is irresistible. She is soaking wet and freezing. How could she possibly decline? What develops is a relationship that she couldn’t have planned better in her wild teenage fantasies. He whisks her away from the mundane life to which she is accustomed. What could possibly go wrong?
The movie takes off beautifully and soars in ways that reminded me of “Lost in Translation”. It is so wonderfully written and delicately acted that I was absolutely sure it wouldn’t stumble on its way to being the best film of the year. Unfortunately, the final act leaves too many gaps in time, cuts too many corners. I really feel that the film really needed to be 20-30 minutes longer. Without giving anything away, I was bothered by the quick wrap up and nice little bow. It was too neat and tidy.
All that being said, “An Education” is a must-see film. It captures time and place immaculately. It is a fascinating lesson in growing up too fast. Everything about the movie is classy, sophisticated and intelligent… much like the central character. However, the most memorable part of this terrific ensemble effort is the birth of Carey Mulligan as a new Hollywood star. There is no denying it… She is simply stunning in this role and I am already anticipating many great things from her over the next couple of decades. She is going to need a big trophy case.
