Monday, November 16, 2009

we all need an education.

Good morning! I hope you guys all had great weekends.  I was pretty busy but I managed to see one new film, An Education (Scherfig, 2009).  Based on Lynn Barber's memoir, the movie tells a coming-of-age story of a teen girl, Jenny, living in the suburbs of London in the 1960s.  As a smart, intelligent girl she seems to have a bright future ahead of her, but her life changes after meeting an older playboy who is nearly twice her age.

This is certainly a talent-driven drama and both Peter Sarsgaard and newbie Carey Mulligan deliver fabulous performances.  I think this film will certainly help launch Mulligan's acting career (especially if it lands her an Oscar-nom).  She was perfectly cast as young Jenny, a girl exploring her own desires and learning who she is.  "Mulligan is the film's headline, pulse and revelation," wrote TIME Magazine's Richard Corliss.  "In its blithely subversive way, her starmaking performing is a co-conspirator with the movie.  Both of them win you over with smart talk and pretty feelings, then kick you in the heart."

The film currently has an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomato and has received rave reviews.  In fact, Oscar buzz is already circulating.  Caludia Pulg of USA Today called the story "fresh and thoroughly captivating," while LA Time's Kenneth Turan said it was "invariably funny and inexpressibly moving."  Overall, this was a great story that examined women's roles in the world of the 1960s.  I thought the ending could have been slightly stronger, but this is a minor complaint.  Don't miss this one!



6 comments:

  1. I saw previews for this when I saw New York, I Love You and I can't wait to see it! It's only showing at our independent theater back home, so I have to wait for Thanksgiving break. Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Completely agree! Its a crackin' film - i love the soundtrack too! Saarsgard does remind me of Kiefer Sutherland though ... which isn't his fault.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sam - ooohhhh I really really want to see New York, I Love You. Did you like it?

    KnowingViews - Haha it definitely was crakin. I guess he does kind of remind me of Sutherland too. Although i have a huge crush on him haha. There is something really attractive about him. Can't quite put my finger on what it is though.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I did like New York, I Love You..but I didn't love it. Which I thought I would. It was a little long for what it was, but it was definitely unique and full of great actors. So I wouldn't say skip out on it! Just don't expect to be blown away.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I hadn't heard much about this movie, but now I want to see it! Thankyou for this review!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a fantastic movie. Great acting. Beautiful to watch. I had great company going to see it too... so that didn't hurt :)

    ReplyDelete