Movie Profile: AN EDUCATION (2009)
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | An Education |
| Release Date | October 16, 2009 (USA) / October 30, 2009 (UK) |
| Director | Lone Scherfig |
| Writer | Nick Hornby (Based on the memoir An Education by Lynn Barber) |
| Genre | Coming-of-Age, Drama |
| Runtime | 100 minutes |
| Budget | $7.5 million |
| Box Office | $26 million worldwide |
| Lead Cast |
• Carey Mulligan (Jenny Mellor) • Peter Sarsgaard (David Goldman) • Alfred Molina (Jack Mellor) • Rosamund Pike (Helen) • Dominic Cooper (Danny) • Olivia Williams (Miss Stubbs) • Emma Thompson (Miss Walters) |
| Major Accolades |
• Academy Award Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress (Carey Mulligan), Best Adapted Screenplay • BAFTA Awards: Won Best Actress in a Leading Role (Carey Mulligan) • Sundance Film Festival: Won Audience Award (World Cinema – Dramatic) |
Trailer
Plot Overview
Set in 1961 suburban London, Jenny Mellor (Carey Mulligan) is a brilliant, ambitious 16-year-old schoolgirl whose strict father, Jack (Alfred Molina), pushes her tirelessly to gain admission to Oxford University. Jenny dreams of a more glamorous, sophisticated life filled with French culture, jazz, and high art.
Her routine existence is disrupted when she meets David Goldman (Peter Sarsgaard), a charming, wealthy man in his early thirties. David quickly sweeps Jenny into a world of jazz clubs, fine dining, art auctions, and trips to Paris. Captivated by David’s sophistication and money, even Jenny’s status-conscious parents fall under his spell and begin encouraging the relationship, overlooking the significant age gap.
As Jenny becomes deeply embedded in David’s lifestyle, she starts questioning the value of years of tedious academic study when a shortcut to luxury seems so readily available. However, as their relationship deepens toward marriage, Jenny discovers troubling secrets about David’s true character and how he funds his lavish lifestyle, forcing her to confront a hard, painful lesson about maturity, independence, and real education.
Key Themes & Acclaim
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Carey Mulligan’s Breakout Role: Her performance as Jenny launched her into international stardom, earning her an Oscar nomination and a BAFTA win. Critics widely compared her screen presence and charm to Audrey Hepburn.
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Critique of Social Mobility & Age Gaps: The film examines 1960s British class ambitions, female autonomy before the sexual revolution, and how societal pressures can blind adults to the exploitation of young women.
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Smart Screenplay Adaptation: Screenwriter Nick Hornby successfully adapted British journalist Lynn Barber’s personal memoir, balancing witty dialogue with sobering emotional stakes.