Gee Film Reviews

8th February 2010

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An Education Movie Review

Within the film industry, there are types of movies that are created simply to just please the eye or take a break from the monotony of life for a couple hours of adrenaline and testosterone.  While there are some that are created to inspire its audience in some positive or even a negative way.  A perfect example of an inspirational movie that anyone average movie goer can relate to is Disney Pixar’s “Up,” which depicts an elderly man overcoming his dull and boring life to reach a life filled with substance. One can say that An Education follows the same model, but instead of achieving a life filled with pleasure and glamor, it shows an individual having this coveted life, and eventually losing it.

An Education is the screen adaptation of author Nick Hornby’s, writer of About A Boy, screenplay with the identical title.  It is a coming-of-age story about a high school student from London named Jenny, Carey Mulligan, who embarks on a relationship with a man twice her own age, with this relationship she receives a life that any teenager would dream to have.  An Education is Carey Mulligan’s breakthrough role, who has been unknown to the general audience starring in small roles such as last year’s Public Enemies. This movie does a fantastic job in introducing the actress, whose maturity resembles an actress much older. Jenny then eventually comes to a dark conclusion about this rich-filled life. Spoilers set aside, the dark conclusion is very inspiring in both a dark and negative way and depicts really how life truly is.

An Education, in simple words, does things right.  Its star-studded English cast, which includes Alfred Molina, Emma Thompson, and Rosamund Pike(Pride & Prejudice), shines as they represent various types of characters. From a rich unintelligent woman, to an average instructor that one encounters in day-to-day life.  It’s artistic view of London, the night-life, and Paris, is simply beautiful due to it’s simplicity. It’s dialogue that adds to both character development and subtle humor. The soundtrack filled with vintage and classical tunes that add to the overall mood of the story.  And it ultimately conveys a true life, a life that’s possible, and how it possesses both good times and bad.

Some negative aspects of the movie include racial stereotypes expressed by the author.  The movie is filled with some anti-semitic feelings that are somewhat unnecessary for the film.  This ambiguity towards the Jewish community is totally irrelevant to the story, and could have been left out.  The only positivity of this aspect is that it portrays racial feelings expressed in 1960s London. But even at that, it could have been removed.

Overall, An Education is one of my favorite films of 2009.  I cannot really say what inspired me from this movie due to spoiler reasons, but I can say that every student should watch it.  It really shows why it’s all important, and that life doesn’t have its shortcuts.  An Education has been recently nominated for Best Picture, but will be sadly overshadowed by hyped films such as “Avatar,” or “Inglorious Basterds.”  Carey Mulligan is my pick for Best Actress because her performance is truly impeccable, but I have a feeling Sandra Bullock’s overhyped performance in “The Blind Side,” will beat it.  Anyway, awards set aside, An Education is a remarkable film, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a film with purpose. Grade: A

Tagged: an educationcarey mulliganmovie review