A star is born and Carey Mulligan is her name. She's in her early twenties, but convincingly plays a 16-year-old in An Education. While the word “convincingly” is appropriate to the previous statement, it vastly understates what Mulligan does in the film. She plays an innocent with big dreams, but scant experience. Though her naivete is readily apparent, she is so well-composed that she appears sophisticated to others. When she pulls her hair up, she is reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn at her most magical. Granted, Mulligan is given a terrific character and a great screenplay to work with, but what she brings to the role is quite special.
She's a lock for a Best Actress nomination in the Academy Awards, so if you want to start your Oscar-watching early, here's your heads-up.
Nick Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity) wrote the rich screenplay based on a memoir by British journalist Lynn Barber. Danish filmmaker Lone Scherfig does a remarkable job capturing character detail while keeping her film moving at a brisk pace. Please understand, An Education isn't simply admirable, it's entertaining. Whether your taste runs to art house films or mainstream fare, the movie is a winner.
Set in London, circa 1961, the story follows the efforts of young Jenny (Mulligan) to realize her dreams, which focus largely on living an adventurous, romantic life with fellow enlightened travelers. She loves all things French and her things-to-do list includes losing her virginity on her 17th birthday in Paris.
Jenny's big dreams put her at odds with her well-intentioned, but hopelessly pedestrian parents, Jack (Alfred Molina) and Marjorie (Cara Seymour). Dad's idea of a successful life is built on the notion of security. His game plan for Jenny is dependent on her attending Oxford. Jenny dutifully works in that direction, but then she meets David (Peter Sarsgaard, suitably charming and smarmy), a polite, worldly fellow with a mischievous smile and a great car.
Alas, he's twice Jenny's age and her parents will never allow the two to see each other, but wait, David is a smooth talker adept at reading people and he soon has Jenny's folks, especially Papa, in the palm of his hand. At this point, you likely know where the story is going. No matter. The events may fit a formula, but the fun of the movie is in savoring the light and dark moments as it all plays out.
Watching David manipulate Jenny as adroitly as he works her parents is creepy, but fascinating. Watching Alfred Molina sputter (he sputters so well), then recover, whenever his tiny world (a trip across town is a major event to this man) appears threatened is a treat. Molina is one of the great character actors and his performance here is among his best. But Jenny, David and Jack aren't the only interesting characters. Everyone, from David's best pal Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Danny's girlfriend Helen (Rosamund Pike), who wears her superficiality with aggressive pride, to Jenny's achingly contained teacher (Olivia Williams) and coolly stern headmistress (Emma Thompson), makes the most of what they are given.
An Education satisfies because the story has characters that are specifically drawn, but the movie never gets fussy. It deals with some serious matters along the way, but remains just breezy enough. And, along with the excellence of Alfred Molina, it boasts a star-making turn by Carey Mulligan. Watch her work wonders.
