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An Education Hot

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An Education
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 4.0 (2)

Opening: October 9

The 1960s were a time of change. So is life when you are 16. That combination propels An Education, set in London in 1961, and makes it an unforgettable coming-of-age story.Attractive, bright, 16-year-old Jenny is stifled by the tedium of adolescent routine; she can’t wait for adult life to begin.

One rainy day her suburban existence is upended by the arrival of a much older suitor, David. Urbane and witty, David instantly charms Jenny and introduces her to a glittering new world of classical concerts, art auctions, smoky bars, and late-night suppers with his attractive friends. He replaces Jenny’s traditional education with his own more-dangerous version. Just as the family’s long-held dream of getting their brilliant daughter into Oxford has seemed within reach, Jenny is tempted by another kind of life. Will David be the making of Jenny, or her undoing?

Every so often a performance comes along that is so captivating that it becomes an instant classic. Carey Mulligan's enchanting performance as Jenny is one of them. Channeling the spirit of a young Holly Golightly, she makes Jenny's character blossom on screen from a girl into a woman, and transforms herself from an actor into a star.

Director Lone Scherfig's complete understanding of Nick Hornby's extraordinary script brings its many dimensions to vivid life.

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User reviews

Average user rating from: 2 user(s)

 
Overall rating: 
 
 4.0
Script:
 
 4.0
Direction:
 
 4.0
Acting:
 
 4.0
Cinematography:
 
 4.0
Score/Sound Track:
 
 4.0
 
 

Carey Mulligan Proved Acting Chops Years Ago

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
I didn't see this film (sorry but the website insisted on rating it), but I did see Carey Mulligan do a star-making turn in the television series Doctor Who on Nov. 1, 2009. Ignoring how beautiful she was, she showed she's a first class actor with whom to be reckoned. Quite a fine future awaits her.

User Review

Would You Recommend? Yes
Overall rating: 
 
 3.0
Script:
 
 3.0
Direction:
 
 3.0
Acting:
 
 3.0
Cinematography:
 
 3.0
Score/Sound Track:
 
 3.0
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Reviewed by Daniel Lauber
November 04, 2009
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An Education

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful


Talk Cinema Boston RATED THE FILM 72% EXCELLENT, 28% GOOD for a 100% favorable rating. 97% WOULD RECOMMEND the film to a friend, with another 3% saying they MIGHT, to yield a 100% positive recommend response.

Ty Burr led the post-screening TALK CINEMA discussion.

TALK CINEMA Boston comments included:
Absolutely engrossing (F18-24). Most complex and 3-dimensional coming of age film I’ve seen ( F35-49). Rich juicy roles for superb actors (F18-24). Seldom wish a film could be a little longer, but I would have liked the resolution to have been given more time (F50-64).


Talk Cinema Bryn Mawr RATED THE FILM 69% EXCELLENT, 28% GOOD for a 97% favorable rating. Some 97%, say they WOULD RECOMMEND the film to a friend, with another 3% saying they MIGHT, to yield a 100% positive recommend response.

Bill Wine led the post-screening TALK CINEMA discussion.

Talk Cinema Bryn Mawr comments included:
Loved every minute of this film, which highlights how important it is to stay on your own course (35-49). Scary for those with daughters (65+). Script witty and probing (F18-24).


Talk Cinema Chicago RATED THE FILM 52% EXCELLENT, 46% GOOD for a 98% favorable rating. 88% say they WOULD RECOMMEND the film to a friend, with another 10% saying they MIGHT, to yield a 98% positive recommend response.

Milos Stehlick led the post-screening TALK CINEMA discussion.

TALK CINEMA Chicago comments included:
Brought back a lot of memories (50-64). We often wonder how one can be so completely duped, but it happens! (F65+). My education! (65+). Trapped inside a woman’s body in London 1960s isn’t so bad, needed a better ending (50-64). Feel certain Roman Polanski was charming, too (M50-64).


Talk Cinema Glenview RATED THE FILM 69% EXCELLENT, 22% GOOD for a 91% favorable rating. Some 88%, say they WOULD RECOMMEND the film to a friend, with another 2% saying they MIGHT, to yield a 90% positive recommend response. Milos Stehlick led the post-screening TALK CINEMA discussion.

TALK CINEMA Glenview comments included:

Fabulous on every level ( 50-64). Delightful, was in a trance the entire time (F65+). Reminiscent of my school girl days in the 60s ( F50-64). Great cast, outstanding wardrobe, makes me want some Audrey Hepburn sunglasses tout de suite (F35-49). Thought I was going to see Happy Go Lucky II, halfway through I felt this was a sad, somber film (M65+). Well acted but would parents really be that naïve? (F50-64). Could not be slower or more boring, only plus was music (F65+).


TALK CINEMA Minneapolis RATED THE FILM 73% EXCELLENT, 22% GOOD for a 95% favorable rating. 90% say they WOULD RECOMMEND the film to a friend, with another 5% saying they MIGHT, to yield a 95% positive recommend response.

Jeff Strickler led the post-screening TALK CINEMA discussion.

TALK CINEMA Minneapolis comments included:

Loved it loved it loved it , hit its pitch perfect note perfectly and consistently (F35-49). Best of season, will be hard to top (M50-64). Felt like I was there! ( 50-64). I am 71 year old female and I am a WRECK. After seeing this film I am reminded of all the STUPID things I have done in my life ( F65+). Easy to get caught up in Saarsgards’ charms (50-64). Horrifyingly charming. (F25-34).


TALK CINEMA Philadelphia RATED THE FILM 72% EXCELLENT, 28% GOOD for a 100% favorable rating. 97%, say they WOULD RECOMMEND the film to a friend, with another 2% saying they MIGHT, to yield a 99% positive recommend response.

Bill Wine led the post-screening TALK CINEMA discussion.

TALK CINEMA Philadelphia comments included:
Wonderful film, basically perfect (M65+). Easy to see how an intelligent teenager can be charmed by an older man (F65+). Torrid teen love excellently demonstrated with British understatement (M65+). Wish I had the whole wardrobe but the movie itself was kind of “eh” despite the excellent cast. (F25-34). A predictable anti-semitic tutorial on pedophilia and naivete (M50-64).


TALK CINEMA Washington, DC RATED THE FILM 66% EXCELLENT, 30% GOOD for a 96% favorable rating. 94% say they WOULD RECOMMEND the film to a friend, with another 4% saying they MIGHT, to yield a 98% positive recommend response.

Bob Mondello led the post-screening TALK CINEMA discussion.

TALK CINEMA Washington DC comments included:

Takes a well worn story line and makes it compelling (M35-49). Teaches a moral lesson without being didactic (M50-64). Never lie to your parents no matter how stupid they seem. (50-64). Mostly great, not sure I want my 16-year old daughter to see it (M50-64).


User Review

Good Points Break out performance by Carey Mulligan
Would You Recommend? Yes
Overall rating: 
 
 5.0
Script:
 
 5.0
Direction:
 
 5.0
Acting:
 
 5.0
Cinematography:
 
 5.0
Score/Sound Track:
 
 5.0
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Reviewed by Susan Jacobson
October 09, 2009
Top 50 Reviewer
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