Coming-of-age drama, An Education, was released in the UK on 30th October 2009, making it five years old today.
The Lone Scherfig directed British film retells the memoirs of Lynn Barber in which the life of Jenny (Carey Mulligan), an intelligent Oxbridge hopeful, changes drastically when she is seduced by the charming David Goldman (Peter Sarsgaard).
Mulligan’s performance here is one which reflects her true talent; her capability of evoking emotion in an audience who are completely taken to her world of an exhausted education and a desire for French culture. Her portrayal of Jenny led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in 2010, where she lost to Sandra Bullock for the latter’s performance in The Blind Side.
An Education was nominated for two further Academy Awards: Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Adapted Screenplay for Nick Hornby. Despite not winning, the film has been praised by critics who have predominately expressed their compliments and recognition of Mulligan’s outstanding performance.
The evocative acting from, not only lead female actor, but also Sarsgaard who depicts the charming yet manipulative seducer David, is accompanied by a compilation of stunning visuals and cinematography displaying a truly artistic portrayal of 1960’s Britain.
Relive Scherfig’s An Education by watching the official trailer below.
