Thursday 9 December 2010

An Education - Phil's Five Words for Films

An Education A nice, gentle film that is frightfully English. Full of red letter boxes and double decker buses, boating trips to Oxford and nice cups of tea. The film is based on a memoir of Lynn Barber and focuses on the relationship between a 16 year old girl, studying for university and a much older man who opens her eyes to all life has to offer. In places, the relationship seems slightly creepy and predatory but there is a fantastic acting debut by Carey Mulligan and the script, produced by Nick Hornby, trots along nicely, diverting attention away from the seedier side of the story. Well acted by all concerned and with a 60's period feel, the 'education' of Mulligan's character through schooling and life experience makes for a pleasant story, well told. A good film for a Sunday afternoon or a quiet night in. Deserving of the praise.


8 out of 10.
Cert 12A (uk). 2009