An Education

“An Education” is a film directed by Lone Scherfig, the Danish film director who, as a woman, is uniquely qualified to do great justice to this “coming of age” drama about Jenny, a 16 year old girl living in the early ‘60’s in a suburb of London. The screenplay is ably written by the British novelist Nick Hornby (with a story loosely based on the life of Lynn Barber). The film stars Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, Peter Sarsgaard, Emma Thompson (in a cameo role) and, saving the best for last, a 22 year old actress, Carey Mulligan (who plays the 16 year old herione). One cannot say enough about this fine actress who graces and enchants the viewer in almost every scene of the film. This is her movie and she makes the most of it. Raising many questions as to the female role in our society and the propriety or impropriety, if you will, of young girls dating older men, this film let’s us view the circumstances faced by Jenny as she matures and decides (or has fate decide for her) the path she must take and how she is to deal with all that has occurred.. Looking so much like Katie Holmes with a commanding charisma and charm that sometimes makes us forget the tremendous talent within her, Ms. Mulligan is a delight to listen to and see, How often does one get the opportunity to see a really wonderful star in the making. I give this film 3 stars, not only for entertaining the audience for its entire 110 minute duration but, in addition, for “educating” the audience in showing us how far society has traveled these past 50 years while, at the same time, reminding us how far it still has to go.