2009 Oscar Nominees - An Education  
| I love it when a film makes me laugh out loud. I tend not to be the kind that likes the fall down, fart or get smacked with something in the head kind of humour. I tend not to think it's that funny when some gets themselves into some sort of terribly rediculous situation that is humiliating to get out of. But what really tickles my funnybone is when smart people display sly wit in clever conversation.
I realize that puts me into a minority but I know there are others like me. Nick Hornby must be like that because the writer of About a Boy and High Fidelity adapted journalist Lynn Barber's smart and funny memoir about her teenage crush on an older married man into this very enjoyable and clever film.
The screenplay is a joyous ride that never sinks to low brow humour but keeps the laughs, and a few honest tears, coming. As I said, at times I laughed out loud. Most of the time I had a smile on my face. Hornby has found a way of making this young British woman's story feel very familiar, even to a Canadian boy of a different generation.
I am always impressed with how much Peter Sarsgaard surprises me. He is always much more captivating that I imagine he will be. He is perfect as the older man in love with a young girl. He makes a role that should be creepy feel downright seductive and does it without looking like Jude Law.
But the centre of the film and what truly makes it work is break out star Carey Mulligan. She has the presence of a much older actress and really brings "Jenny" to life. She's now on my list of exciting new performers to watch.
An Education is smart and funny and thoroughly a great movie. It gets high marks from me.
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