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An Education (2009)

2009 • 1h 40m • Drama, Romance • PG-13
On September 26, 2026
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CinemaSerf on An Education

7/10 · Jul 18, 2024

Jenny, who is sixteen, has been relentlessly steered toward Oxford University by her parents, Jack and Marjorie, who are middle class and have high aspirations for her. This goal has defined her childhood until she meets David, an older man who offers a different kind of stimulation than her school friend Graham does. Their connection isn't immediate romance; instead, he draws her in through conversation, revealing shared interests. He makes Jenny feel valued, intelligent, and mature—and when introduced to his friends Danny and Helen, she finds herself swept up in an exciting social circle where she feels like an outsider looking in. Predictably, her studies begin to decline, much to the disappointment of her teacher, and like many young people, she’s resistant to advice about prioritizing her future over immediate desires. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that David and his friend operate in a morally ambiguous space, making a living through methods that are technically legal but questionable. Jenny's growing maturity is put to the test when she uncovers a significant secret about David—a revelation that’s unsurprising, really. Carey Mulligan delivers a very believable performance, as does her portrayal of a relationship with a man who knows how to appeal to her vulnerabilities. He doesn't seem intent on exploiting her; in fact, he appears just as reliant on Jenny’s presence to feel alive as she is on him—and this depiction works well. Alfred Molina was the standout for me; he perfectly embodies a father struggling between his protective instincts and his desire for his daughter to achieve a better life than he has. The film loses some momentum toward the end, but I'm not sure how else it could have resolved without feeling contrived, so perhaps the conclusion is ultimately appropriate. It’s visually appealing, with authentic 1960s cars, costumes, and music, making it worth seeing.

Source on TMDB