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Released 30th October 2009
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“Education, education, education!” is what the folks always stress, long before certain politicians adopted the saying. This wonderfully vibrant British coming-of-age tale by author Nick Hornby addresses the impact of education for young females in the 1960s, questioning its value in an age where female emancipation and dependence was only beginning to make any real ground in the sexual revolution.
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Hornby effortlessly turns accomplished screenwriter with the memoirs of journalist Lynn Barber, and along with director Lone Scherfig creates a new star of Bleak House actress Carey Mulligan in the process. Mulligan may well have been likened to a younger version of Keira Knightley (her co-star in Pride & Prejudice) with her angelic English Rose beauty and her clipped retorts and stiff-upper-lip defiance, but she actually has a vast well of yet untapped charisma and simmering decadence in her acting that makes her a stimulating and sizzling delight to watch as Jenny, the Gauloise-obsessed and Oxford wannabe with the world at her feet, dramatically transformed from cutesy, innocent schoolgirl, to exotic Audrey Hepburn temptress during the course of the film. Mulligan plays to her obvious strengths in an award-worthy performance that is further enhanced by her fellow co-stars in character roles that are all fully utilised and sympathetically developed throughout.
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The film appears to be an education in itself, without being droningly moralistic and judgmental, almost making Jenny’s great love affair with an older man that would be frowned upon even today seem like the most natural and sweetest occurrence in the word. In fact, such is the excellent, yet powerfully understated performance by Peter Sarsgaard as seducer and cad, 30-ish David that his authentic and dangerous charm envelopes all (audience included) as he uses intellect and reasoning to win over ‘his prey’, as well as an ever so subtle vulnerability and humbleness to get what he wants (Jenny), rather than the usual blatant and self-assured stance seen in most similar films. In fact Dominic Cooper compliments Sarsgaard’s David, recreating the usual playboy stereotype as flamboyant Danny to allow us to grow fond of David before the inevitable ‘I told you so’ downfall. But as with all the multifaceted characters in this appealing story, nobody is as they seem which is what makes it a thrilling watch.
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Rosamund Pike is surprisingly hilarious as vacuous beauty Helen, Danny’s girlfriend, without making her two-dimensional, and even giving her a touch of sardonic wit, but keeping her likeable all the same. Alfred Molina is highly entertaining as Jenny’s strict and stuffy, but desperately unhappy Dad, Jack, who becomes inexplicably animated with the arrival of David in the house, allowing him and wife Majorie (Cara Seymour) to recapture some of their own decadent youth and free will. Emma Thompson makes an ever welcome appearance as a pillar of ‘Britishness’ and decorum as the Headmistress. However, it is Olivia Williams - strikingly reminiscent of Liz Hurley in appearance - as Jenny’s mousey, but influential teacher, Miss Stubbs, who ultimately helps capture the essence of the dramatic ‘crunch-time’ classroom scenes with Mulligan, as the two young women with so much in common, finally see eye to eye and a common goal for the future of womanhood, where education is the ultimate release of free will, if used wisely.
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An education is irresistible viewing with a tremendous cast and a nostalgic 60s musical flare that is also an education in how good British cinema can be.
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By Lisa Keddie
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Synopsis
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Nick Hornby’s tale: In the post-war, pre-Beatles London suburbs, a bright schoolgirl is torn between studying for a place at Oxford and the rather more exciting alternative offered to her by a charismatic older man.
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Film Facts
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Official site: http://www.aneducationmovie.co.uk/
UK Release Date: 30th October 2009
Director: Lone Scherfig
Writers: Lynn Barber (memoir) and Nick Hornby (screenplay)
Cast: Carey Mulligan (‘Jenny’), Peter Sarsgaard (‘David’), Dominic Cooper (‘Danny’), Rosamund Pike (‘Helen’), Alfred Molina (‘Jack’), Cara Seymour (‘Majorie’), Olivia Williams (‘Miss Stubbs’), Matthew Beard (‘Graham’), Emma Thompson (‘Headmistress’) and Sally Hawkins (‘Sarah’)
Distributor: E1 Entertainment
Certificate: 12A
Run-time: 99 mins
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Video on Real.com
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Trailer:
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