An Education

A suave, seductive thirtysomething man and a precocious 16-year-old are at the heart of Danish director Lone Scherfig's An Education, a Best Picture nominated dramatization of British journalist Lynn Barber's memoir about a young woman's coming-of-age in the 1960s. When con man David Goldman (Peter Sarsgaard) offers a ride in his sleek Bristol Roadster to a high-spirited, if naïve, cello-toting schoolgirl named Jenny (Carey Mulligan)—slogging home in a driving rainstorm—she's flattered by his attention and tells him that she wants to go to Oxford University. David sends Jenny flowers and invites her to join him at a Ravel concert on the West End. Jenny is sure that her staid parents (Alfred Molina and Cara Seymour) won't approve but, after being captivated by David, the pair not only give permission but allow Jenny to accompany David for a weekend at Oxford and to Paris to celebrate her 17th birthday. Relishing her entrée to classical concerts, art auctions, and supper clubs, Jenny's amazed and enchanted by David, his ‘business' partner, Danny (Dominic Cooper), and Danny's dimwitted, beautiful girlfriend (Rosamund Pike) who lead a seemingly glamorous, freewheeling lifestyle. None of this sits well with Jenny's English teacher (Olivia Williams) or the school's headmistress (Emma Thompson) who are both concerned about Jenny's future education. Of course, when the other shoe drops, Jenny's world is shattered. But can this resourceful young woman pick up the pieces? Working from a clever screenplay by Nick Hornby, Sarsgaard delivers an opportunistic, nerve-rattling performance, while BAFTA-winning newcomer Mulligan transforms from a gawky adolescent into a beguiling swan. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Lone Scherfig and costars Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard, a “making-of” featurette (9 min.), deleted scenes (16 min.), a “Walking the Red Carpet” premiere featurette (9 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray version is the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)