MOVIE REVIEW - AN EDUCATION

MOVIE REVIEW AN EDUCATION

When the word 'education' is uttered, visions of stuffy class-rooms are often conjured. Although school days are where practical minds are developed, personal capabilities are always learning. An Education explores how this particular lesson is learnt by a British teenager in the early 1960's. In showing the information she gathers, the film divulges how life is be our constant and challenging teacher. Coming out of the post war 50's into the exciting prospects of the 60's, British teenagers desired to grab any opportunities the new decade promised. Jenny (Carey Mulligan) causes a familial upset when she is romanced by the much older David (Peter Sarsgaard). Tired of her suburban surrounds, she is smitten by his sophisticated charms and of the glossy world he introduces. When the temptation to follow another path beckons, Jenny unexpectedly learns the value of staying true to ones self. Despite its familiar plot, An Education works due to a fine cast and solid direction. It's interesting how the story is set on the cusp of the 60's counter revolution as the British nation emerges from its staid reputation. This almost mirrors Jenny's journey into adulthood learning that the most exciting path in life may not necessarily be the right one. It’s about people's aspirations and achieving their goals dreaming of an existence seemingly out of reach. Jenny's parents, stuck in their mundane life in the suburbs, continually push Jenny not to replicate their mistakes. Watching David's oily charm and orating skills felt like the screenplay took a leaf out of the biblical tale of Adam & Eve. With his serpentine tongue tempts the impressionable young Jenny and her parents. Their detour from their own personal convictions comes at a cost. The light and shade the tale brings is well mixed with surprising poignancy that doesn't descend into artificial sincerity. It's an obvious tale but the trick the film-makers do well is to make it fresh with a jazzy soundtrack creating the illusion of glamour the characters create. An Education is an amiable drama effectively teaching the perils of false persuasion. Keeping the story simple and straight forward, both director and performers provide a scholarly lesson anyone should find easy to take. Movie Review Rating 7 / 10 Movie Review by Patrick Moore AN EDUCATION released in Australia on Thursday 22 October 2009. If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review AN EDUCATION Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.