DVD review: An Education

It's the confident, light touch that makes this tale adapted by Nick Hornby from Lynn Barber's autobiographical book so endearing. Carey Mulligan won the Bafta for her portrayal of the slightly pretentious but entirely realistic 16-year-old being swept up in the adult world of Peter Sarsgaard's thirtyish seducer, skilfully winning over both Mulligan and her naive, suburban parents. The film also gained three other Baftas and three Oscar nominations, including one for Hornby. In her English-language debut, Danish director Lone Scherfig's film is exemplary in everything bar a disappointingly conventional ending. Alfred Molina is outstanding as Mulligan's dad.