Will 'An Education' contend at Oscars beyond bid by Carey Mulligan?
No surprise that Carey Mulligan is being singled out by the critics in their rave reviews for "An Education." After all, Mulligan has been touted as the new 'It' girl ever since "An Education" unspooled at Sundance last January. But beyond her likely best actress bid at all the year-end movie kudos, including the Oscars, what other awards contenders are there from "An Education"?
Danish director Lone Scherfig won many film festival awards in Europe for "Italian for Beginners" in 2000. Were she to land an Oscar nod, she would be only the fourth woman to do so after Lina Wertmuller ("Seven Beauties," 1976); Jane Campion ("The Piano," 1993); and Sofia Coppola ("Lost in Translation," 2003).
Campion and Coppola competed at the Golden Globes as well. The only woman to win with the Globes was Barbra Streisand for her directorial debut "Yentl" in 1983; she picked up another bid with "The Prince of Tides" in 1991. The DGA nominated all these woman -- save for Babs the first time -- and also recognized Randa Haines for "Children of a Lesser God" (1986) and Valerie Faris (along with Jonathan Dayton) for "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006).
Till now, the only screenplay credit for novelist Nick Hornby was when he adapted his bestseller "Fever Pitch" for the original film version in 1997. He did share in a USC Scripter nod for "High Fidelity" in 2000. That award recognizes the author of the source material, in this case a novel, as well as the screenwriter. Today Hornby is being hailed for his sensitive adaptation of the memoir, also titled "An Education," by Lynn Barber.
Peter Sarsgaard, who plays the cad of an older man in "An Education, contended for a slew of supporting kudos for his turns in "Shattered Glass" (2003) and "Kinsey" (2004). While he lost his Golden Globe bid for "Shattered Glass" to eventual Oscar winner Tim Robbins ("Mystic River"), Sarsgaard did pick up a few critics prizes along the way.
Alfred Molina is earning praise for his performance as Carey Mulligan's demanding father in "An Education." He competed for several showbiz awards for his supporting turn in "Frida" (2002) and was part of the SAG-nominated ensembles of "Boogie Nights" (1997); "Magnolia" (1999); and "Chocolat" (2000). He has twice contended for lead actor at the Tony Awards -- first for the play "Art" in 1998 and then for the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" in 2004.
Photo: Alfred Molina, from left, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard Credit: Sony Pictures Classic
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I agree, thats like saying madonna is a great actress.
Posted by: Dan | October 23, 2009 at 06:03 PM
please, Carey was fantastic in this. She received RAVE after Rave
Posted by: jbf81 | October 12, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Mulligan was good as was everyone else in the movie but I'm shocked that everyone is screaming "Oscar" for her. Perhaps the Academy has lowered its standards.
Posted by: Bob | October 12, 2009 at 10:17 AM
why am i beginning to think that the raves by many critics for carey mulligan is because of their personal fantasy to be in the peter sarsgaard character? you know, the older man deflowering a a pretty nubile young girl?
Posted by: alluhrey | October 11, 2009 at 03:05 AM
Carey mulligan ...Oscars??
Are you kidding ??
She is OK. but she’s certainly not Oscar-worthy.
Posted by: you | October 09, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Everyone hate the final scenes of the movies, it's a well made movie, with one incredible performance but not a good direction at the end, so don't count on a lot of noms....
Posted by: JK | October 09, 2009 at 01:06 PM