Peter Skarsgaard and Carey Mulligan in "An Education," a film from Sony Pictures Classics.

Rated PG13

Directed by Lone Scherfig

Starring Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson, Rosamund Pike

Heidi’s Illustrious Rating: 4.5/5

Word of Warning: None – I simply love this movie.

Finally, a really good film is in theaters. How refreshing! Fabulous directing, outstanding acting and a clever narrative make this film a HeidiTown favorite (and I would nominate “An Education” for Best Picture come Oscar season).

“An Education” is based on a memoir written by Lynn Barber, a celebrated British journalist, who is known for her controversial interviews and who has won five British Press Awards. As with any memoir there is no way to know how truthful the story really is, but I can tell you, regardless of accuracy, it is a great story.

Jenny is a precocious sixteen-year-old growing up in the middleclass suburbs of London in the early 1960s. Jenny is the only daughter of parents who have worked tirelessly to support her aspiration to attend Oxford. She is enrolled in a private all-girls school where she is head of the class. 

A chance encounter on a rainy day changes Jenny’s life forever. She meets David, an older man who is familiar with all the finer things life has to offer – the very things Jenny longs to know and experience. The two begin a rather harmless friendship, but as the audience suspects from the beginning, it soon develops into more.

The dialogue in “An Education” is, as the Brits would say, “just brill.” And even though the overall pace of this film is leisurely, the witty dialogue, terrific costumes, striking sets, and good use of tension building, make this movie as visually stimulating as it is emotionally engaging.  

Carey Mulligan is the up-and-coming British actress who plays Jenny, and despite outstanding performances by the entire cast, the 24-year-old steals each and every scene in which she appears. With a dazzling smile and undeniable talent, Mulligan is definitely one to watch in the future. 

“An Education” isn’t a Lolita story. Jenny is a good English girl, from a good English family, and David has all outward appearances of a good English gentlemen. In fact, the PG13 rating is almost excessive. The film is a coming of age story with the more scandalous parts of the narrative left entirely to the imagination.

The fact is “An Education” doesn’t need to be salacious in order to get the story across. It explores the loss of innocence with a delightful subtly, and I highly recommend this movie.

Note: “An Education” is currently playing at Lyric Cinema Café in Fort Collins. 

The big news? Kate Winslet probably won’t be winning an Oscar, now that she’s finally walked away with an award – two actually. She won Best Supporting Actress for “The Reader” and Best Actress for “Revolutionary Road,” leaving the door wide open for a most deserving Meryl Streep to win the Oscar.

Winslet was surprised by the second win and had a terrible time getting through all her thank you’s, though having a British accent always makes a person seem proper, even when they are in a state of disarray. She confessed her “13 year” love of co-star Leonardo DiCaprio – thankfully she quickly followed up by adding how much she loves her husband and “Revolutionary Road” director, Sam Mendes.

“Slumdog Millionaire,” one of my favorites, was the surprise big winner, walking away with Best Screenplay, Best Musical Score and Best Picture.

Best Actor went to Mickey Rourke for his performance in “The Wrestler.” A seemingly sober Rourke tripped on the stairs, but then regained his composure enough to deliver a very good acceptance speech, which even included thanking his dogs (something most dog people will appreciate).

Not a surprise, Best Supporting Actor was given posthumously to Health Ledger for his portrayal of the Joker in “The Dark Knight.”

Best Actor in a comedy or musical went to Colin Ferrell, who looked dapper in his suit, but was annoyingly fidgety during his speech. Best Actress in a comedy or musical went to relatively unknown British actress, Sally Hawkins for her role in “Happy Go Lucky.”

Television awards do not interest me, so you’ll have to search elsewhere for who won on that front.

Now, bring on the Oscars!