More 2009 Anticipated although we’ve already done about five very solid and comprehensive most-anticipated pieces if we do say so ourselves, here’s more.
“An Education” – Sony Pictures Classics – dir. Lone Scherfig
Synopsis: A rites-of-passage drama about a vivacious teenager in 60’s pre-swinging London, who meets a playboy that’s quite older and is opened up to a whole new kind of life.
What you need to know: The film made a smashing debut at Sundance earlier this year, swiping both the Audience Award and Best Cinematography. It’s no surprise, since the cast is quite a marvel. Peter Sarsgaard plays the older man, the daring David. We saw him on Broadway in the adaptation of Anton Chekov’s “The Seagull” alongside Kristin Scott-Thomas, and he was fantastic. This performance may get him the first really solid recognition of his career (although he did get a Golden Globe nomination for “Shattered Glass”). Emma Thompson co-stars as a headmistress, which gives the movie a big boost. Alfred Molina makes an appearance, as well as “Rushmore” actress Olivia Williams, and recently lauded “Happy-Go-Lucky” actress Sally Hawkins. But the real reason the film has gotten so much attention is the work by Carey Mulligan as the girl, Jenny. She’s seems to have dominated the film, and could garner some Oscar buzz. The film is also written by beloved author Nick Hornby (“High Fidelity,” “About a Boy”), so a screenplay nomination could tentatively be in the cards as well.
Release Date: Obviously Oscar-baity, with the same indie-small, can-do potential that say, “Slumdog Millionaire” had before it was huge, Sony Pictures Classics has set the film for an October release, but there’s no specific date quite yet.
There seems to be no trailer yet, but here’s filmmaker Lone Scherfig discussing the film and another clip with the hotly touted star, Carey Mulligan. – Nick Duval