An Education (2009)

When a bright young schoolgirl (Carey Mulligan) meets a dashing older man (Peter Sarsgaard), he introduces her to a vibrant world of glamorous friends, chic jazz clubs and her own sexual awakening. Based on the memoir by Lynn Barber and directed by Lone Schefig (ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS). The Danish director is lucky enough to get a wonderful script by Nick Hornby and even more lucky to get a superlative cast headed by Carey Mulligan in her breakthrough role to act it. The best I can say about Schefig’s direction is that it doesn’t get in the way of either the script or the actors. The British age of consent aside (it’s 16 there, 18 here in the States), there’s a disturbing undercurrent in this coming of age tale of a romance between a 16 year old girl (Mulligan) and an older 30ish mature man (Peter Sarsgaard) that’s only partially addressed. The plot itself is only marginally interesting and the “shock” toward the end can be seen a mile away but Hornby has a good ear for dialogue. The period detail (it’s set in 1961) is perfect and the excellent performances include Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Dominic Cooper, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour, Sally Hawkins and Rosamund Pike in a near scene stealing performance.