I had heard that An Education is a young woman’s coming-of-age story, and as my favorite movies tend to be in the science fiction genre, you can imagine that it wasn’t very high up on my list to see.  Still, the film has been nominated for Best Picture, so that fact coupled with my woman urging me to go see it with her led me to finally check it out.  What I found was an incredibly well-acted movie that, despite its lack of action and slow pace, was indeed an enjoyable and unique experience.  “Coming-of-age” has become somewhat of a cliche, but An Education stands out thanks to terrific acting and thematic subtleties.

An Education takes place in 1961 pre-Beatles London, and immediately the architecture, clothing, and automobiles sell the time frame.  Jenny, a highly intelligent, talented schoolgirl who dabbles in existential discussions with her schoolmates, aspires to go to Oxford for college, in part to please her overbearing, dictator-like father.  Alfred Molina plays the role of Jenny’s father Jack, and as always, turns in a great performance.  We’re almost willing to forgive his authoritative rule in the household, as Molina convinces us that Jack truly does care about Jenny, and his over-the-top life philosophy of working hard for success provides some laughs, too.  Jenny doesn’t despise her father, but she’s at a stage in her life where everything comes into question.

One day after orchestra practice, Jenny is approached by David Goldman (Peter Sarsgaard), a good-looking, apparently wealthy young man who offers her a ride home.  Jenny accepts and is unable to resist the charms of a man who could probably convince Michael Moore to vote Republican.  Nor can Jenny’s parents resist David’s charms, as he coaxes them into allowing him to take Jenny out on the town and return her at a time much later than they’re used to.  David, along with his business associate/friend Danny and Danny’s girlfriend Helen, show Jenny the glitz and glamor of posh living, and for the first time, Jenny questions the significance of attending Oxford.  It’s the equivalent of regularly being taken to the hottest club in Manhattan, skipping the line, getting VIP service all night, and sitting next to three of the New York Yankees, only to have your father get on your case for not studying Latin.

One day, Jenny discovers that in addition to stealing from homes that are for sale, David and Danny move blacks into flats that are also occupied by old women.  The old women, being afraid of the blacks, sell their flats for far below value to David and Danny, who then flip the real estate for a large profit.  Suffice it to say, David and Danny are big time hustlers, but Jenny enjoys her time with David so much that she’s unable walk away.  In many ways, David represents everything her father does not: he avoids hard work and instead participates in scams, he appreciates the arts, and, most of all, he’s a lot of fun.  Whereas Jenny’s father may have often made her feel like Gregor Samsa, David makes her feel like a princess.

Naturally, the conflict in the film comes in the form of the path Jenny must choose.  Does she continue to see David, a shady man who can show her the glamorous side of life, or does she continue her studies to attend Oxford?  The decision isn’t as easy as it seems for Jenny, as David isn’t all that he seems; Jenny’s teacher, Miss Stubbs, also plays a role in shaping Jenny’s growth.  The important education that Jenny receives, as you probably have guessed, isn’t at school.

The actress who plays Jenny - Carey Mulligan - is perfect in the role, and it’s not wonder she was nominated Best Actress.  She’s a pretty girl - pretty enough that an older man would certainly be interested, but also not too pretty so as to detract from her intelligence and talents.  One scene in particular stood out to me:  After a wonderful night with David, Jenny returns home to find her mother cleaning a casserole in the sink.  Without so much as saying a word, Carey Mulligan conveys that Jenny views this as pathetic.  Why settle for cleaning dishes when one can be out and about on the town with a handsome man picking up the tab?

All in all, An Education is a strong - if not personal - film, and Jenny’s decisions are often more complex than one would think.  And that’s kind of the whole point - growing up and becoming a woman isn’t easy; girls are often presented with numerous choices for which there is no clear answer.  I certainly don’t think An Education is the best movie I’ve seen this year, but the fact that I enjoyed a coming-of-age story about a young girl in London speaks measures about its quality.

One final note: some have criticized An Education for being anti-Semitic, but I didn’t really get that impression.  It’s stated several times throughout the film that David is a Jew, but he’s just one character, not an entire population of people.  And since when can’t Jews be bad guys?  Ever hear of Bernie Madoff?  I suppose the counterargument could be, to an extent, that nothing about the narrative of the film changes if it’s not pointed out that David is a Jew, but I also think that’s reaching.  In my mind, noting his religion simply goes to fleshing out a more believable character.

4 out of 5 stars

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