During the first three-quarters of AN EDUCATION, I thought no teenage girl should see this movie. By the end, I thought EVERY teen girl should see this movie!

AN EDUCATION is about 16-year old Jenny, a smart high school senior completely focused on the goal she shares with her father: getting into Oxford. Jenny’s life is sheltered, and like most young girls, she yearns to be grown up. Enter thirtysomething David, a charmer who quickly offers Jenny a welcoming world of sophistication that includes culture, beautiful people, fancy clothes, and exotic trips. David is able to smooth talk Jenny’s parents who want their daughter to experience what they cannot provide. Jenny is fully aware of right and wrong, but opts to look past David’s “cons” since she doesn’t want to lose the “pros” that come with the relationship. As Jenny feels she is a part of this mature grownup world, she loses respect for the adult authority figures in her life who she believes just don’t get it. Of course, as in real life, it turns out Jenny is the one who doesn’t get it.

AN EDUCATION takes place in 1961 England and we get glimpses of historical accuracy: prejudice against blacks and Jews, smoking as an activity for cool people, and the fact that a man in his 30s dating a teenager brought about gossip but wasn’t considered immoral (see Elvis Presley dating 14-year old Priscilla Beaulieu). Also, this is a “coming of age” film, but the “coming of age” does occur off camera.

AN EDUCATION shows that girls who want to live like adults have to be ready to actually live like adults, which is not nearly as glamorous as kids fantasize. AN EDUCATION is as much about the importance of getting a proper one as it is avoiding learning too much about life too early. For high schoolers and up.