An Education (2009)

Praises the film's crisp direction by Lone Scherfig and its focus on a teenage girl's hunger for adult life and experiences beyond peer approval or romance. Highlights the nuanced handling of class, sexual politics and the central performance by Carey Mulligan.

Mulligan gives an understated, beautiful performance as the precocious teen; the film succeeds on its emotional terms despite some conventional plotting, highlighting the heroine's disillusionment with sophisticated but flawed adults.

Calls it an accessible comedy romance that captures suburban life and generational shifts through strong performances, especially by Mulligan and the supporting cast. Notes that the script softens some edgier elements of the source memoir.

Highlights the lively period drama's strong cast and newcomer Mulligan's memorable performance as a girl drawn to a con-man's glamorous lifestyle over academic ambitions. Notes the film's old-fashioned tale of temptation and its potential for art-house success.

The critic finds the film decent but unremarkable overall, praising its easy charm and satisfying story while noting it feels somewhat slight. They single out Carey Mulligan's central performance as the standout element that elevates the picture.

The critic praises the film as a lovely, sensitive depiction of early 1960s Britain and a young woman's coming of age, highlighting its measured charm and the way it captures the era's values. They single out the strong performances, especially Carey Mulligan's, and the precise direction.

The film shows an unerring instinct for human nature and its foibles, presenting nuanced pleasures in the story of a schoolgirl's relationship with an older man. It praises the keenly observed direction and the lead performance.

The film is a sad, painful comedy that is extremely funny despite its subject matter. Peter Bradshaw singles out Carey Mulligan's wonderful performance as the vulnerable schoolgirl for particular praise.

Mulligan delivers a star-making performance as the schoolgirl swept up by an older man; the film is a smart, moving coming-of-age story with a fine cast and strong script.

The film is a sprightly and slippery adaptation of Lynn Barber's memoir that balances comic tone with the story of a young woman's seduction by an older man. It singles out Carey Mulligan's preternatural wit and the delicate handling of the predatory elements.

An Education is a wonderful, life-affirming picture that restores faith in cinema and deserves all the prizes it will win. Toby Young highlights the strong central performance from Carey Mulligan and the film's blend of comedy and humanity.

The critic describes the film as sweet, engrossing, and subversive, highlighting its focus on the protagonist's perspective and the theme of education versus life experience. Praises the depth beneath its perky surface and the subjective viewing experience.

The critic raves that the film is pitch-perfect and entertaining from start to finish, calling it a standout coming-of-age story. They single out Carey Mulligan's outstanding performance as Jenny for particular praise.

The material is spectacularly well handled with Hornby's script mixing comedy and emotional weight and Scherfig directing with a light touch. Mulligan gives a terrific performance and Sarsgaard strikes a careful balance in his role, though some subsidiary characters feel flat.

It is a stylish, moving and deeply pleasurable coming-of-age film that matches high expectations, with an impeccably good lead performance from Mulligan and strong direction from Scherfig. The script lets characters speak for themselves in an oppressive 1960s setting.

The review commends Carey Mulligan's stunning debut as the precocious Jenny and Lone Scherfig's gentle handling of complex dynamics in the story of a teenage girl's awakening. It notes the film's witty portrayal and memorable study of its lead character beyond stereotypes.

The critic finds the film undermined by its screenplay, which telegraphs plot points and flattens characters instead of trusting its strong cast. They praise the lead performances by Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard but fault the conventional story and tidy resolution.

The film is a surprise hit and possibly the best British film of the year thanks to strong performances, especially Carey Mulligan's, and Nick Hornby's outstanding script. Scherfig's direction creates a flawless world and elicits powerful work from the cast.