Review of "An Education," opening 11/6 at the Fox Tower

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An Education (England)
Director: Lone Scherfig
With: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, Olivia Williams, Dominic Cooper, Matthew Beard

England felt the effects of World War II long after the war ended, in rationing, social conservatism and a lack of spirit.  Still, the country produced great talent in the 50s and 60s, and the beginning of the England of the Beatles and Stones was about when this movie is set, say 1961.
Jenny (Mulligan) is a smart and feisty 16-year-old.  She plays the cello, and is popular with her classmates.  She meets an older man, David, who is rich, sophisticated and everything her stodgy and conservative parents (Molina and Seymour) are not.  He sweeps her off her feet, and charms her parents.
As Jenny falls in with David’s friends and lifestyle, a precursor of Swinging London, she discovers that he makes his living through swindling and theft.  With a shrug, she decides not to be too judgmental, and thereby sets up a hard lesson.
She learns that her father, as cheap and cautious as he is, is an honest man who loves her, and that her flawed role model of a teacher (Williams) may have more to teach her than she believed.  But, the hardest lesson is that all that glitters may not be gold.
Well written, by Nick Hornby, nicely directed, and brilliantly acted by all, this film is smart and humane.  No cardboard characters here, but complex real people.  Very good.
A special notice of Carey Mulligan, who is a star on the verge.  Watch her.
A-