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An Education is a coming-of-age drama film set in the 1960s in suburban London. Based on Lynn Barber's memoir of the same name, the movie follows a 16-year-old girl named Jenny, played by Carey Mulligan, who is bored with her humdrum school life and yearns for something more. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with an older, charismatic man named David, played by Peter Sarsgaard, who sweeps her off her feet and introduces her to a world of sophistication and excitement.

Jenny is a bright and ambitious student who dreams of studying at Oxford University. Her father, played by Alfred Molina, is a suburban businessman, who like many of his time and class, values conformity and practicality over intellectual pursuits. Jenny's mother, played by Cara Seymour, is more sympathetic to her daughter's passion but is not vocal about it. Jenny studies Latin and hopes to follow in the footsteps of her spinster teacher Miss Stubbs, played by Olivia Williams.

One day, while waiting in the rain for her bus, Jenny is given a lift home by David, a charming and well-dressed man who claims to be a music producer. He is well-spoken and engaging, and Jenny is impressed when he takes her to a local jazz club where she meets his friends, including the beautiful and worldly Helen (Rosamund Pike) and Danny (Dominic Cooper), a wannabe playboy who is first presented as being David's brother.

David continues to charm Jenny's parents, especially her father, who starts befriending him, seeing him as more than just his daughter's lover. David seems worldly and safe to him, thanks to his exclusive tastes, his apparent heritage, and his engagement with well-heeled circles. Meanwhile, Jenny's romance with David heats up as he lavishes her with attention and gifts, including a dreamy Parisian weekend escape. Jenny is smitten, and her once-clear ideas about the world and life are becoming muddied by David's influence.

As her relationship with David deepens, he starts to distance himself, and it is not long before we discover that he is not who he appears to be. Jenny's world is turned upside down as she confronts the reality of who David is and what kind of life they are living. She discovers that he is not a music producer, but a seasoned con artist who takes advantage of young, impressionable women. Her infatuation with him clouds her judgment, and she soon finds herself lying, cheating, and stealing to keep up the appearance of the life she thinks she wants.

As things start to unravel, Jenny comes to realize the true value of an education, not just in terms of academic pursuits but also of life experiences. She realizes that her preconceived ideas about the world were based on the expectations of her parents, and that no amount of wealth or sophistication can replace the value of integrity and purposeful living. In the end, she finds her true calling and learns to stand up for herself, even when it means making tough decisions.

An Education is a beautifully filmed, heart-wrenching movie that deals with complex themes of love, ambition, and social expectations. It is a stunning portrayal of coming of age set in an age of innocence and rebellion, and the performances of the actors are simply mesmerizing. Carey Mulligan delivers a stunning breakout performance, bringing nuance and depth to her portrayal of a young girl grappling with the loss of her innocence. Peter Sarsgaard is equally impressive as the charming and slippery David, and the supporting cast is also fantastic.

Directed by Lone Scherfig, An Education is a must-watch for anyone looking for a poignant, intelligent, and thought-provoking movie that explores the human condition beyond flattery and glamour. The film's rich blend of humor, drama, and nostalgia makes it a timeless classic with a cinematic beauty that is as lasting as it is mesmerizing.

An Education is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 85.