As the Oscars approach you start to get films like Lone Scherfig's An Education (2009). It is a period piece, character, coming of age driven drama. If all that seems like a movie that was just made to grab some Oscars then maybe, but the film is able to balance all of that perfectly without falling into over-dramatic territory.
Carey Mulligan (despite her washed out Katie Holmes look) is getting well deserved Oscar buzz for playing Jenny an overly educated 16 year old with grand dreams of the outside world. She feels stifled by her fathers demands for her to go to Oxford, not because she doesn't believe in education, but because she believes the world has more to hold than books and papers. Although this premise is relatively cliched, we go with it because Jenny is so smart and she has a sophistication about her that makes her more mature beyond her years. Her characterization works so well when she is confronted by the much older and worldly David, played with such ease by Peter Sarsgaard. David seduces Jenny with the exact world she has dreamed of. The movie balances this line of wanting to go with David because he is so charming, but also realizing Jennies naiveté but understanding it at the same time.
There relationship is disturbing, but at the same time understandable. It reminds me of a time where ambition and dreams meet expectations and reality. In this point in a young person's life it really is up to those who are more mature to guide them in the right direction, even if that person sounds smarter than you.
The great thing about this movie, and especially from a guys perspective is that I don't know if women ever truly learn this lesson. As long as a women is single and believes in romance a man can always take advantage of that, no matter what the age (trust me I try). And sadly I could see myself in David, and I got the sense from the audience that Jenny got what she deserved, and that she is better off for having gone through this.
Both Mulligan and Sarsgaard deserve to be recognized by the Academy for their performances. Yes Mulligan will be an A list star within two years. Nick Hornby also deserves recognition for his screenplay. This is a well crafted anti-love story that should be seen. I know as a guy I was skeptical to see it because it was British and about love, but as the decent (500) Days of Summer touted itself as the anti-romantic comedy of the year, I think An Education does it better and less gimmicky.
****
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