An Education

An Education

movie

PG-13, 2009, Drama

WISE
48%

WISE Score

93

Avg. Tomatometer

A 1960s period drama about a teen girl seduced away from Oxford by a charming older con man—basically a grooming PSA with good costumes.

IMDb7.2
RT Critics93%
MC85
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a well-made film with excellent performances and important themes, but let's be clear: you're signing up to watch a teenage girl get groomed by a con artist twice her age. It's uncomfortable by design.

The good news? The film doesn't romanticize the relationship—it's clearly a cautionary tale, and Jenny ultimately recognizes she's been manipulated and returns to her education. The bad news? It's still two hours of watching predatory behavior unfold, and even with the 1960s setting providing some distance, it's heavy stuff.

For the right teen at the right age (think mature 16+), this can be a valuable conversation starter about manipulation, consent, power dynamics, and the importance of not abandoning your goals for someone else's attention. But it requires active parental engagement—this isn't background viewing.

The period setting is gorgeous but also makes it feel somewhat dated. Modern teens might find the pacing slow and the whole 'will she go to Oxford?' question less compelling than intended. It's the kind of movie that gets assigned in AP English, not one kids are streaming for fun on a Friday night.

Bottom line: Important themes, uncomfortable viewing, requires context and discussion. Not for everyone, and definitely not for younger teens.

Age Fit

Best for mature 16+ teens who can handle uncomfortable subject matter and process grooming dynamics critically. Younger teens (15) might watch with significant parental guidance, but this isn't entertainment—it's education about predatory behavior.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
35

This film depicts a deeply unhealthy relationship between a 16-year-old girl and a man twice her age who manipulates and grooms her, derailing her education and life plans. While the film ultimately shows consequences and doesn't romanticize the relationship, the central dynamic is emotionally damaging and models deception, manipulation, and inappropriate age-gap romance. The protagonist's journey involves abandoning her values and being deceived by a charming con artist.

Imaginative
62

Set in 1960s London, the film offers a visually rich period piece with attention to fashion, culture, and social mores of the era. It explores themes of education versus experience, societal expectations for young women, and the allure of a glamorous lifestyle. However, it's a character-driven drama rather than something that invites creative exploration or building. The narrative is well-crafted but follows a fairly conventional coming-of-age arc.

Safe
40

The core premise involves an adult man grooming a teenage girl, which is inherently triggering content. While the film doesn't include explicit sexual content or graphic scenes, the relationship dynamic itself is inappropriate and potentially disturbing. Common Sense Media rates it for age 15+, suggesting mature themes. The film is meant as a cautionary tale but the subject matter—manipulation, deception, a predatory relationship—makes it unsafe for younger viewers and potentially uncomfortable even for teens without proper context.

Enriching
73

Strong critical reception (93% RT critics, 85 Metacritic) indicates meaningful storytelling. The film offers valuable lessons about manipulation, the importance of education, recognizing red flags in relationships, and the consequences of abandoning one's goals for someone else. It provides historical context about women's limited opportunities in the 1960s and can spark important discussions about grooming, consent, and power dynamics. The cautionary tale has real ethical weight and could build critical thinking about relationships.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Critically acclaimed (93% on RT, 85 Metacritic) with strong performances and period detail
  • Serves as an important cautionary tale about manipulation, grooming, and recognizing red flags in relationships
  • Explores themes of women's education, ambition, and societal expectations in the 1960s
  • Can spark crucial conversations about consent, power dynamics, and not abandoning your goals for romance
  • Shows realistic consequences—the protagonist learns hard lessons and ultimately chooses education
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What to Watch For

  • The entire premise is an inappropriate relationship between a 30-something man and a 16-year-old girl—this is grooming, full stop
  • Themes of deception, manipulation, and emotional abuse that require mature processing
  • Some smoking, drinking, and period-appropriate casual antisemitism that reflects the era
  • The pacing and 1960s setting may feel slow or dated to teens used to modern films
  • Absolutely requires parental co-viewing and discussion—not a 'throw it on and walk away' situation

Conversation Starters

  • "What red flags did you notice in David's behavior? How did he manipulate Jenny?"
  • "Why do you think Jenny was so willing to give up Oxford for this relationship?"
  • "How are things different for young women today compared to the 1960s? How are they the same?"
  • "What would you do if a friend was in a relationship like this?"
  • "The movie shows how charming people can be dangerous—how do you recognize when someone's being manipulative versus genuinely kind?"

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