An Education is an enjoyable film. Carey Mulligan is delightful as Jenny Mellor, a 16 year old who comes of age in the London suburbs during the early sixties. The film is set in the years just before the Beatles and Swinging London. The sexual revolution had yet to happen and for most people life is dull and boring. Peter Sarsgaard plays David Goldman a charming conman who seduces Jenny and her parents. David seems to be a successful businessman, he has lots of money and lives a glamorous life. David and his friends Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Helen (Rosamund Pike)are hedonists who enjoy art, good music and traveling. We slowly find out that they are not what they seem.
Jenny's folks don't realize that their daughter is having a sexual relationship with David. Today, most parents are very protective and suspicious so it is difficult to imagine a time when parents were so naive and gullible. Nick Hornby's screenplay was well written but everyone seems a little too nice. The film peters out as the relationship between David and Jenny comes to an end, but the ending is fairly upbeat. Like many British films An Education features a boat load of "fine character actors" in relatively small roles. Overall the story seemed a little far-fetched despite being based on a true story. An Education was a good film but given the hype I was a little underwhelmed.
The story is based on a memoir by Observer journalist Lynn Barber who developed a fearsome reputation as a celebrity interviewer in the 1980s. Barber eventually ran out of willing victims because her hatchet jobs were often brutal and funny.
Jenny's folks don't realize that their daughter is having a sexual relationship with David. Today, most parents are very protective and suspicious so it is difficult to imagine a time when parents were so naive and gullible. Nick Hornby's screenplay was well written but everyone seems a little too nice. The film peters out as the relationship between David and Jenny comes to an end, but the ending is fairly upbeat. Like many British films An Education features a boat load of "fine character actors" in relatively small roles. Overall the story seemed a little far-fetched despite being based on a true story. An Education was a good film but given the hype I was a little underwhelmed.
The story is based on a memoir by Observer journalist Lynn Barber who developed a fearsome reputation as a celebrity interviewer in the 1980s. Barber eventually ran out of willing victims because her hatchet jobs were often brutal and funny.