Sunday, February 21, 2010

An Education






















Please go see An Education. Please see it right now.

I'm a huge huge fan of movies.... during Oscar season, I get a bit obsessed with all the wonderful films that come out. It's the best time of the year to go the theaters. Lately though, I haven't gotten the chance to see as much as I'd like. I saw Avatar and Nine, but I hadn't been truly pulled into a complete cinema experience, until last night.

In a brief synopsis, the story takes place in England, 1961. Jenny(played by the wonderful Carey Mulligan), a 16 year old schoolgirl, is courted by David(the handsome Peter Sarsgaard), a 35 year old man who takes a fancy to her cultured taste and ambitions. She becomes enamored with the glamorous life he leads. She is treated to Jazz Clubs, orchestral concerts, and trips to Paris.....beyond any of her dreams. Until this point, Jenny was hoping to get into Oxford and become an educated, career-oriented woman. Now, she is tempted with the choice of an exciting and cultured life, over the struggles of an ordinary woman.

Everything about this movie is wonderful. The movie strays away from typical formulas and gives us fantastic performances from Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, and Alfred Molina.This story still resonates strongly with our current times. Even though women have many more possibilities with careers and living independent lives, there is always the temptation for stability in marriage.* I am so blessed to have the option of living an independent life with the choice of whatever career I want.......to pursue the kind of life I want to have.

Now.....go to the theaters pronto, before all you have left to see is Dear John.....eeeekkkk.



*This comment is in no way devaluing the significance of marriage, as I hope to marry as well someday. It's more relating to the pressure of certain lifestyles that have been established by previous generations.

2 comments:

Sara said...

I know Peter Sarsgaard is a good actor but after seeing him in a couple things where he was so good at being bad, I have a hard time with him.

However, I will try and get to this!

Julia said...

Looks excellent, can't wait to see it.

I agree with Sara, Peter Sarsgaard is a little scary- but still awesome.