An Education

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
An Education Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Intelligent period drama tackles mature teen topics.

PG-13 2009 95 minutes
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 10 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What 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.

Community Reviews

wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
September 22, 2012
age 15+

Wonderful film!!

I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it. Carey Mulligan's character Jenny is so likeable and sweet, trying to do what she thinks is right at the ripe age of becoming a woman. So many challenges, peer pressure and lessons she goes through before discovering her destiny. There is some iffy content, Jenny is 16 and sleeps with a man in his mid-30s. No real sex scenes (just off-screen) and some talk about losing her virginity to a banana. She takes off her shirt for a man but there's no nudity. Some sweet kissing. Jenny and her friends smoke french cigarettes in one scene. There is some social drinking. No violence except for some loud arguing. Excellent film with a great role model and good messages!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
T F.
T F. Adult
February 5, 2010
age 17+

Only for adults and maybe older teens

This is a disturbing movie about teen choices and disillusionment. I don't want to give away the movie, so I won't say much here. It is definitely not subject matter for young teens. At least 17+ is what I would feel comfortable with. Lots of hard lessons learned in the movie. The acting is first rate. Carrie Mulligan is absolutely Oscar worthy in this movie -- very gifted actress.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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

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