An Education

In the early 1960s, a precocious young woman named Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is on the cusp of her 17th birthday, her academic prowess and extracurricular activities meticulously cultivated by her devoted parents in hopes of securing a coveted spot at Oxford. Her days are filled with the disciplines of Latin and music, as she diligently pursues her goals.

One fateful day, Jenny finds herself caught in the downpour, only to be rescued by the enigmatic David (Peter Sarsgaard), whose discerning tastes in music and his rare maroon-colored Bristol leave a lasting impression on the young schoolgirl. As chance would have it, David soon deposits a bouquet of flowers at Jenny's family doorstep, setting the stage for their burgeoning connection.

As their paths continue to cross, David extends an invitation to Jenny to join him for an evening of music and fine dining at a supper club, where she is wowed by his charisma and her parents are equally impressed. This marks the beginning of a series of romantic and cultured outings with David's friends, including Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Helen (Rosamund Pike), as they attend an art auction, indulge in a luxurious soiree at Danny's opulent residence, and witness David facilitating the relocation of West Indian families into a local apartment complex.

David's next move is to invite Jenny to join him and his friends on a day trip to Oxford, where he fabricates a connection to the renowned author C.S. Lewis as a means of gaining her parents' approval. As they spend their first day at a cozy pub, David cleverly forges the author's signature on a copy of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," further solidifying his hold on Jenny.

In a moment of vulnerability, Jenny confides in David that she remains a virgin, with a strong desire to maintain her innocence until her 17th birthday. David reassures her that he has no qualms about this, setting the stage for their relationship to unfold with a sense of possibility and promise.

As the group's odyssey continues, they make a pit stop at a humble abode, where David and Danny emerge with a meticulously framed map in hand. Their demands are clear: the girls must return to the vehicle forthwith. After departing the small house and returning to London, Jenny seizes the opportunity to vent her frustrations, convinced that David and his cohorts are little more than opportunistic thieves.

David confesses to the group's modus operandi, revealing their habit of pilfering items for resale. He also shares a personal anecdote, explaining why he had previously assisted a group of West Indian families in navigating the complexities of London's real estate market. This clandestine practice, known as "blockbusting," involves strategically relocating marginalized communities into predominantly elderly neighborhoods, thereby creating a sense of urgency among the residents to sell their properties at a discounted rate.

Jenny is taken aback by David's candor, but her ire eventually subsides, and she chooses to forgive him. The relationship between Jenny and David continues to flourish, with the latter making grand promises to take Jenny on an extravagant 17th birthday adventure to the City of Love – Paris.

Word of their plans spreads like wildfire through Jenny's social circle, prompting her friends to shower her with gift ideas for her impending birthday. However, not everyone is thrilled about Jenny's upcoming escapade. Her teacher, Miss Stubbs (Olivia Williams), and the Headmistress (Emma Thompson) express their concerns, cautioning Jenny against the perils of embarking on such a trip without proper supervision.

Undeterred by these warnings, David takes it upon himself to charm Jenny's parents into granting her permission to accompany him to Paris. The day of Jenny's 17th birthday arrives, and David presents her with an assortment of gifts, in addition to seeking her parents' blessing for their impending adventure.

Once they arrive in the City of Light, David and Jenny indulge in a romantic getaway, complete with candlelit dinners and moonlit strolls along the Seine. Their Parisian idyll eventually draws to a close, as Jenny makes the ultimate sacrifice, surrendering to David's affections.

Upon their return to London, Jenny attempts to curry favor with Miss Stubbs by offering her a bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume, hoping to grease the wheels of academic success. However, Miss Stubbs remains unmoved by Jenny's overtures, instead choosing to lecture her on the importance of staying focused and committed to her studies.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, a lively gathering of friends and acquaintances converged at the dog racing track, where David (proudly) knelt before Jenny, presenting her with a sparkling engagement ring. Her response was delayed, prompting her to seek counsel from her parents. Unbeknownst to her, her father remained convinced that David hailed from Oxford, rendering his approval for their union a foregone conclusion.

The news of the impending nuptials soon spread like wildfire through Jenny's school corridors, leaving her classmates agog at the sight of the engagement ring on her finger. This development did not go unnoticed by Miss Stubbs and the Headmistress, who had previously raised concerns about David's character. The tension culminated in Jenny's decision to abandon her studies altogether.

In a move that would prove fateful, David arranged a night out with Jenny and her parents. As they stopped at a petrol station to refuel, Jenny's curiosity got the better of her as she rummaged through the glove compartment, uncovering a series of letters addressed to Mr. and Mrs. David Goldman. Her world came crashing down when David failed to reveal the truth about his identity.

The silence that followed was deafening, punctuated only by Jenny's anguished outbursts as she berated David for his deception. In a moment of emotional reckoning, she demanded that he confess the truth to her parents. When he remained tight-lipped, she gave him an ultimatum: come clean within minutes or face the consequences.

David ultimately chose to abandon ship, leaving Jenny to confront the reality of her situation. The weight of his deception, combined with her decision to leave school and potentially forego a coveted spot at Oxford, left her feeling lost and disillusioned.

Seeking answers, Jenny paid a visit to the Goldman residence, where she met an unsuspecting woman and child. As the truth began to dawn on her, the woman revealed that she was not David's first conquest. Jenny returned home, only to find her parents still oblivious to the reality of their son-in-law's true nature.

Her father, eager to right his wrongs, apologized for his role in perpetuating the charade. However, it was Jenny who ultimately delivered a stern rebuke to her parents, highlighting the importance of honesty and integrity. As she retreated to the solitude of her room, it became clear that this experience would forever alter the trajectory of her life.

As Jenny navigates a return to her alma mater, she petitions the Headmistress for readmission, only to be met with a firm refusal. Undeterred, she seeks out Miss Stubbs, whose earlier concerns about Jenny's reckless abandon have given way to admiration for her determination to turn things around. Under the guidance of this wise mentor, Jenny redoubles her efforts, diligently re-learning the material she missed during her final year at school.

This renewed focus ultimately pays off when Jenny secures a spot at Oxford University, a testament to her perseverance and growth. The film concludes with Jenny reflecting on her journey in a poignant voiceover:

"I set out to immerse myself in English literature, doing my utmost to resist the destiny Helen had foretold for me – one marked by awkwardness and acne. I probably appeared as naive, fresh-faced, and wide-eyed as any other student...But appearances can be deceiving. One of the young men I befriended, who were still just boys at heart, asked me to join him on a trip to Paris. And when he extended the invitation, I felt an overwhelming desire to experience the City of Light – as if I'd never set foot in it before."