A crushing disappointment.

An impeccable production, good music, with one of the best performances of the year. However, a big however, I was never emotionally connected. I always felt I was watching an art instead of being in it. The story of a young aspiring girl falling for an older guy is nothing new, and there is really not much climax. It just ended. Even at its emotional scene (the father/daughter door talk), I didn't feel much. There are a couple of plot holes that I can't ignore: . Also I'm not liking the casting of Peter Sarsgaard. He appeared awkward in a few scenes and although gentleman enough, doesn't carry the charisma necessary for an intelligent girl in the caliber of Jenny to fall. One more bothering aspect, although smaller, to me is how nobody else was at Jenny's intellectual level to debate the meaning of education or other things; it's as if she is the only awakening person while all others are sleeping in this "boring" world.

So even though the look of the film, the lighting and art direction and everything, is so good, there are plenty of hard wounds inside that made the experience disappointing. Mulligan is definitely a revelation though.

I kinda loved it. An Education is defintely one of, if not the best film of the year so far (not quite sure if it passes Inglourious Basterds yet). The film wonderfully brings to life the concept seen very often in what one girl will do when she believes she has found the "right one". The chemistry of the two leads is very strong and there does not seem to be too much awakardness despite the range of their ages in the film. The cinematography of the film is absolutely beautiful with its peak reaching the scenes in Paris. Put in some of the best performances of the year as well into the mix. Peter Sarsgaard's potrayal of David does not seem the least bit awkward and shines to the point of atleast a Best Actor nomination. Alfred Molina's role as Jenny's father Jack is potrayed not as only one that is very strict about his daughter's adventures but can be very leniant at the same time and add many comic moments. He should be considered for a Supporting Actor Oscar and Olivia Williams' short, yet powerful time on screen as Miss Stubbs should be considered for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. The true star of the film however is of course newcomer Carey Mulligan as Jenny. Her potrayal of the roles her character goes through is one of the most lifelike and enjoyable performances of the past few years. If she does not get a Best Actress Oscar, I will solely be disappointed in the Academy. Overall, "An Education" is the true definition of a wonderful romance film that adds in all the right pieces. ****

I liked it. It's sly, subtle, well-acted and well-written, and has some interesting things to say about, well, education...

...at least until that awful third act, when the story comes crashing down and all of the subtlety built up is totally done away with. The ending is just a mess.

Still, Mulligan is terrific and the supporting cast is enough to overcome the regular douchiness of Peter Sarsgaard. Because of this, it's not a total wash - just a disappointing one.

10/10 -> A

I think the movie is brilliant. From top to bottom.

I'm planning on seeing it Thursday night. Cannot wait!

AN EDUCATION (2009)

Every once in a while a film comes along that reminds you of why you love movies. For me, "An Education" is one of those films. I adored every minute of it. It is so well-done in every respect. Carey Mulligan gives the best female performance of the year. It is such a joke that Sandra Bullock is going to win the Best Actress Oscar over her. I couldn't believe how terrific she was. Everyone else is really good, but she truly shines as Jenny.

This is the best film of the year. A very intelligent, witty, and thoughtful drama. I enjoyed it immensely.

Grade: 10/10 (A+)


This is the only film this year that I've awarded a perfect rating.

So Mulligan is almost 25 playing 16? That seems pushing it a tad. But I haven't seen it yet.

she don't look 25.

She was perfect. She passes better for that age than any of the GG/Glee/90210 and similar shows cast.

I agree completely. She looks like she could pass for 16 or 25, IMO.

I thought Mulligan played a teenager perfectly. Her performance is 100% convincing.

And what a performance it is. So full of poignant moments which ring completely true.

An Education was my sixth favorite movie of 2009. A

Very well executed by Scherfig, but I cared nothing for the script, themes, plot. Too on the nose (Molina's character, YUCK!), and about 3/4s through the film I realized the characters were thematic message delivery devices, not human beings. Perhaps the setting made them more plastic

Still an enjoyable film just for how it looks and the editing and pacing and so forth is perfect. But I hoped for more

3.5/5

Peter Sarsgaard is such a creep in this...

Underwhelming.

3 out of 5.

a bit better than i might have been expecting, though by the end certainly not as good as the start might have indicated, as by the time we get to the seventh monologue served on a platter by the rotary of characters we have to visit just one more time, i'm rather tired of its forced false wisdoms that were so tantalisingly absent for the rest of the film. but the drama itself was pretty okay.

50