An Education is the coming-of-age tale of a British high school girl named Jenny (Oscar nominated Carey Mulligan) and her twenty-something seducer David (Peter Sarsgaard). Stop before you think this is a reimagining of Lolita. This is no Nabokov knock off.
The film follows Jenny from her "cute meet" with the charming David, through her middle-class home life, class conflicts (both scholastic and social) all the way through her transformation into semi-adulthood. Every twist and turn of Jenny's education is detailed to perfection.
When Jenny is awkward, you feel awkward. When she emerges from her fashion-challenged cocoon, we celebrate her Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany's metamorphosis. Director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners) captures her warts and all. He never lets you forget that Jenny's just a kid and she's probably screwing up her life. But she's so luminous on the screen you are mesmerized by every moment.
Nick Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity) has delivered a highly nuanced script that capitalizes on Jenny's teenage angst. You are seduced right along with her as she falls even harder for her charismatic consort.
Sarsgaard is spectacular as the easy going David. You know there's something that's not quite right about him and his friends, but you can't put your finger on it.
This is the point in most movies where the adults normally step in and take control. In Hornby's superb screenplay, the adults are just as smitten. My guess is that you will be, too. Brilliant acting turns by Alfred Molina (superb as Jenny's father) Emma Thompson and Olivia Williams (Rushmore) keep this jewel sparkling for the full 100 minutes.
An Education teaches us that life can be the best classroom. And that all the gems aren't locked away in jewelry cases.
The Boomer Brief recommends Netflix for your movie rentals. The monthly rental packages start at only $4.99 - and you can cancel at any time.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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