Everhip

An Education, the new film from writer Nick Hornby (About A Boy, High Fidelity) and directed by Lone Scherfig is chock-full of surprises.

On the surface, it sounds like another trite “young girl seduced by an older man” movie, but what unfolds is a fully realized film about one woman’s past experiences, realized with equal parts humor and drama.

Based on a memoir by Lynn Barber, the film is set in a post-war, pre-Beatles London suburb, and tells the story of a bright British schoolgirl who is torn between studying for a place at Oxford and the more exciting alternative offered to her by a charismatic older man.  What surprises here, is the reality that the performances are grounded in.  Jenny (perfectly played by Carey Mulligan) is the sort of girl that while smart for her age, is still naïve about the world around her and how actions that seemed appropriate and harmless as a girl, can have serious repercussions when chosen in an adult world.

David (played by Peter Sarsgaard) is her suitor.   His ability to seduce Jenny is even more believable, given the subtlety and nuance of Sarsgaard’s performance.  He shows Jenny his world as though he is seeing it himself for the first time, and it’s that enthusiasm and sharing of wonder and discovery that appeals to and draws Jenny in.

All of the supporting performances are excellent, especially Alfred Molina, who plays Jenny’s father, a perfectly rational man who also gets seduced by David.   Other standouts in the cast include Rosamund Pike (Sense and Sensibility), Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams and Dominic Cooper.

You wouldn’t expect any less but perfect music choices in a Nick Hornby film, and here those songs actually add to the context of the film.  They aren’t just used because they’re great songs, but rather they enhance characters and give insight into the story.

An Education opens tomorrow in New York and Los Angeles.  Check the website for future release dates near you.  Get the soundtrack here.  Enjoy the trailer below.