Great Love Review – An Education
By Liz H. Kelly
Have you heard about the Sundance hit, An Education that is getting rave reviews from both the critics and viewers? In this romantic movie, we learn a ton about naïve love from Carey Mulligan (Jenny) and Peter Sarsgaard (David) who tempts her with a Great Life, but falls short on being a Great Love. The movie takes places in the suburbs of London in 1960s, and is filled with creative twists that make this movie a must see!
As a teenager, homework can be a real drag. It’s easy to see why Jenny falls so hard for David’s good life, smooth lines and fancy packages as an escape. Below are the Naïve Love Temptations that make this story believable.
Naïve Love Temptations
1. Good Life Fantasies – What we learned most about love was that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is – and especially if you’re a teenager tempted by the good life of an older man. While it’s fun to watch this successful businessman take Jenny to fancy parties, Paris, and Oxford, there is a hidden story behind the bank account.
2. Smooth and Sophisticated Lines – When it comes to handling Jenny’s parent’s objections of their high school daughter traveling with an older man, David is a master of smooth and convinces them to let her go. It’s pure entertainment to see how David comes up with new strategies that work.
3. Fancy Packages – Along with the fancy lines, David represents a fancy package that would tempt most women. Along with a fancy car, he brings Jenny a mountain of gifts for her birthday. As a teen with parents struggling to pay for her college tuition, you can see why these gifts pull her deep into the relationship.
It’s easy to see why this film won the Audience Choice award and the Cinematography award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. What’s so great about this movie is the acting and twists. Carey Mulligan does an excellent job playing a 17-year old when she is really 22. Peter Sarsgaard plays the playboy perfectly, and you will like him – until the end of the movie.
If you find yourself falling for a lover with smooth lines and fancy packages, take a deep breath and do a reality check. If you want another opinion, give us a call for Life Coaching and/or Dating Coaching. Jenny had a great adventure, but missed out on great love. You deserve a Great Life and a Great Love – who is a real deal.
© Liz H. Kelly, Great Love Reporter, Great Life Great Love, http://www.greatlifegreatlove.com, 2009
