An Education

Based on the memoir of British journalist Lynn Barber, this bright, nostalgic drama tells the coming-of-age tale of a smart teenage girl (Carey Mulligan) in 1961 suburban London who catches the eye of a smooth-talking playboy (Peter Sarsgaard) nearly twice her age. The snappy script (courtesy of novelist Nick Hornby) dovetails nicely with the suave direction (from Danish filmmaker Lone Scherfig, who gave us Italian For Beginners). But the cherry on the sundae here is the assured acting of Ms. Mulligan, who will certainly land an Oscar nod for her sharp work. 95 minutes PG-13.