What parents need to know
Positive role models
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this smart 1960s-set drama written by popular author Nick Hornby explores a teenager's efforts to define her future, which includes making a mess of her well-laid plans -- most notably by becoming involved in a relationship with a sophisticated man nearly twice her age. Virginity, education, class -- they’re all up for discussion and questioning. These are mature themes, but older teens should get a lot out of the movie. There's some sexual content (implied nudity and intercourse, kissing, and some risque discussion), as well as some era-accurate social drinking and smoking.
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What's the story?
Sixteen-year-old Jenny (Carey Mulligan) has fixed her sights on Oxford, and her striving dad (Alfred Molina) is happy to keep the pressure on until she gets there. Her teacher (Olivia White) believes she has what it takes, and Jenny does, too. But her plans are waylaid when she meets David (Peter Sarsgaard), a thirtysomething mystery man who hangs out with a fast crowd that introduces Jenny to a heady world of jazz, high art, fashion, Paris, and passion. How can the world of books compete?
Is it any good?
QUALITY
There are quibbles aplenty with AN EDUCATION. Sarsgaard’s wreck of an accent to start, and a third act that attempts to wrap up too quickly to boot. But neither detracts from the period drama’s considerable heft. This is a seriously good film. Nick Hornby, who wrote the screenplay based on a memoir by Lynn Barber, keeps the feel modern despite the 1960s setting (which is gorgeously rendered) with dialogue shot through the heart with essential truths.
And with Mulligan reciting Hornby’s words, he can’t lose. Watching her navigate the perils of near-adulthood is like an epiphany, and while Sarsgaard’s accent is a throwaway, his acting isn’t -- few actors can make creepy seem so appealing. Director Lone Scherfig presents London and Paris with a knowing glow -- Jenny is a firefly, and her wings, as we can only expect, will get scalded, if not burned. And yet we can’t stop watching.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about how the movie portrays teen sexuality. How different do you think that depiction would be if the movie was set today, instead of in the '60s?
What is the movie saying about the value of education? Does book learning always trump real-life adventure, or is life not that simple?
What do you think of Jenny’s apparent change-of-heart about pursuingOxford? Why does she seem ready to forgo what she's worked for topursue a fling with a much older man (who may, in fact, not be exactlywho she thinks he is)?
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | October 9, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | March 30, 2010 |
| Cast: | Alfred Molina, Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosamund Pike |
| Director: | Lone Scherfig |
| Studio: | Sony Pictures Classics |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 95 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | mature thematic material involving sexual content, and for smoking |
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QUALITY
Good for older kids
I really enjoyed this movie, Cary Millingan's brake through performance was really good. This movie should not be watched by most kids [with a few exceptions] because there is a lot of drinking and smoking by both adults and teenagers but in does take place in England in the 1960s which smoking and drinking was a usual custom for most people. A good watch, with a great screenplay.
What other families should know
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
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QUALITY
Interesting With a Great Lesson
Apart from The Hurt Locker, this is the best movie of the year. The themes about the relationship are the only major things about this movie, but it should be fine for older middle schoolers. Deserving of its Oscar nominations, this is a MUST SEE, especially for Carey Mulligan's FANTASTIC performance.
What other families should know
Too much sex
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QUALITY
Well-done film
It deserved all of the Oscar nominations, and going into it I was a little worried about it content-wise, the premise wasn't very appealing. But it turned out to be very well-done and worth your time and cash!
What other families should know
Too much sex
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