An Education
2009 · Directed by Lone Scherfig
Original language: English
- drama
- romance
The story
Despite her sheltered upbringing, Jenny is a teen with a bright future; she's smart, pretty, and has aspirations of attending Oxford University. When David, a charming but much older suitor, motors into her life in a shiny automobile, Jenny gets a taste of adult life that she won't soon forget.
What it’s like
Warm, wintry London in the early 1960s: soft grey daylight through rain-streaked windows, muted browns and dove greys giving way to the bright jewel tones of a Mayfair nightclub or a Paris café. Lone Scherfig frames her characters with a careful, observant stillness, lingering on faces and small domestic gestures, while the camera tracks the heroine's bicycle through suburban streets and the sleek lines of a borrowed car. The score is a light, jazzy, period-true sound of clinking glasses and bouncing piano, against which the quieter moments of doubt land hard. The vibe is wistful and sharp-witted, with a bittersweet undertow: a rainy Sunday with a cup of tea, or an evening alone when you want something clever and tender. The pacing is unhurried and conversational, with dry humour cutting through the emotional weight. Its central arc follows a bright, restless sixteen-year-old learning that charm and glamour can hide real costs, and her growing self-possession. Intensity is low: no violence or gore, some sexual suggestion and a few frank conversations about adult relationships, all handled with restraint. It suits viewers who love grown-up coming-of-age stories, period detail, and sharp, humane writing.
More films like An Education
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved An Educationand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
