By Christy Lemire, The Associated Press

Sixteen-year-old Jenny learns the ways of the world in the coming-of-age drama "An Education," but there's a revelation in store for us as well. We get the pleasure of meeting an exciting young actress who deserves to become a star.

Carey Mulligan is radiant as a suburban teenager in 1961 London who is curious and clever beyond her years but still innocent and impressionable. Although she's a diligent student and dutiful daughter on track to study at Oxford, she sits in her bedroom longing to be adult enough to live in Paris on her own, basking in the culture. Mulligan maintains a beautifully believable balance, even as Jenny gets drawn from the sedate and boring life she knows into a glamorous new one.

Her guide is David (Peter Sarsgaard doing a solid British accent), a thirtysomething man with whom she has a chance meeting one rainy day and experiences an immediate connection. He whisks her away in his flashy sports car to nights filled with concerts and late-night suppers and, eventually, weekend trips out of town. Even her protective parents, who are initially skeptical of David's intentions because he's twice her age, fall for his urbane charms. And we do, too, Sarsgaard is so smooth -- even though we should know better.

David is funny and attentive, generous and sweet. He takes good care of her and seems genuinely interested in spending time with her, never pressuring her to have sex. And under his tutelage, Jenny positively thrives.

You may think you know where the film is going, but its ecstasy and heartbreak will stick with you afterward. It's one of the year's best.