AN EDUCATION
Year: 2009
USA: Sony Pictures Classics
UK: E1 Films (Contender)
Cast: Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pyke, Dominic Cooper, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson, Cara Seymour, Matthew Beard, Sally Hawkins, Amanda Fairbank-Hynes, Ellie Kendrick, Nick Sampson, Kate Duchene
Director: Lone Scherfig
Country: UK
USA: 95 mins
UK: 100 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexual content, and for smoking
UK Certificate: 12A contains moderate sex references
USA Release Date: 9 October 2009 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 30 October 2009
Synopsis
Set in 1961.
An attractive, bright 16 year-old schoolgirl, Jenny (Carey Mulligan) from Twickenham, London, is poised on the brink of womanhood, but feels stifled by the tedium of adolescent routine, Jenny can't wait for adult life to begin and dreams of going to Oxford University. A diligent student, Jenny excels in every subject except Latin, which concerns her father who is convinced this is a necessary requirement for gaining a place at Oxford University.
One rainy day, her suburban life is upended by the arrival of an unsuitable suitor, 30ish David (Peter Sarsgaard). Urbane and witty, David instantly unseats Jenny's stammering schoolboy admirer, Graham (Matthew Beard). To her frank amazement, he even manages to charm her conservative parents Jack (Alfred Molina) and Marjorie (Cara Seymour).
Very quickly, David introduces Jenny to a glittering new world of classical concerts and late-night suppers with his attractive friend and business partner, Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Danny's girlfriend, the beautiful but vacuous Helen (Rosamund Pike). David replaces Jenny's traditional education with his own version, picking her up from school in his Bristol roadster and whisking her off to art auctions, smoky clubs and even to Paris for her 17th birthday!
Just as the family's long-held dream of getting their brilliant daughter into Oxford seems within reach, Jenny is tempted by another kind of life. Will David be the making of Jenny or her undoing?
Directed by award-winning Danish filmmaker Lone Scherfig (ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS, WILBUR WANTS TO KILL HIMSELF) and from a screenplay by Nick Hornby (ABOUT A BOY), AN EDUCATION was adapted from a memoir by journalist Lynn Barber. Starring Peter Sarsgaard, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Emma Thompson and Carey Mulligan, the film was shot during the spring of 2008 on location in and around London, Oxford and Paris, and on sound stages at Twickenham Studios.