Another British import...yet on a different thread from the great Bridget Jones. An Education marks a great break out role for fresh faced Carey Mulligan supported by a dapper Peter Skarsgaard. Taking place in post-war London, An Education addresses an important question still relevant today: is a degree in life (ie: life experiences, relationships, taking risks) more important or "bankable" in the real world than a university's diploma? Faced with such a decision is brilliantly written and played 16 year old Jenny. Wide-eyed, naive, and eager to please Jenny is focused on pleasing her parents and working hard in her all girls school the final goal being Oxford. Whether practicing her cello or improving her latin at the urging of her overbearing father, Jenny adopts a demeanor seen in women well beyond her years, yet maintains a certain girlish charm. She seamlessly blends petits phrases francais into her daily conversations illuminating her interests in French culture and indicating a level of international sophistication. This maturity and naive desire for culture is noticed by con-man David (Skarsgaard) who offers Jenny's cello a lift on a rainy day, and eventually gives Jenny the ride of her life. He introduces her to the art, culture, and traveling she so desires, giving an education on the real world. Their whirl wind romance (that of a 16 year old and a man nearly twice her age) is surprisingly frowned upon by no one in her family. His friends and family, well that's another story.
An ensemble cast helps bring to light David's true career as a con-man and art theif, while also revealing his true dedication to Jenny. They partake in several cultural excursions, which unfortunately are too brief. In the mere passage of months the viewer watches as Jenny ages beyond her years through these life experiences, rejecting the former path set in place for her. She becomes more confident in herself and her desires in life (to be with David) and becomes more assertive towards her parents. David on the other hand becomes less confident and more vulnerable to the outside world's response to their love. These two directions come to a head in a pivotal game-changing scene.
Jenny's "education" with David causes her to doubt her school education as she addresses with her head mistress( a role all too brief for the powerful Emma Thompson) and concerned English teacher. The contrast between educators and their styles of teaching and the values of each lesson is interesting and thought provoking. When is class in session? Is life one big lab in which each of us hopes to receive a passing grade? Are educations from the classroom and life mutually exclusive?
This film combines these questions and although a little choppy at the end does so extremely well. We are left with questions and missing insights into Jenny's character and fail to fully comprehend her personal changes, but despite these downfalls are left liking or in my case, loving, the film.
A brief warning: this film will make you look at bananas in a COMPLETELY new light...
The banana part was rough. I think I would have liked it more if I could just get over feeling squeamish about such a young girl with an older man.
ReplyDelete