As for Scherfig, she too performs an impressive balancing act, depicting early 1960s England as soul-crushingly austere (and frighteningly intolerant) while also capturing some of the delights of the time. Walthamstow dog track and Bloomsbury's Old Village Garage have both since been visited by the wrecking ball but thanks to Scherfig, their charm is preserved forever on film. The director also achieves the incredible feat of making Olivia Williams - as Jenny's mousy teacher - seem both impossibly plain and incredibly attractive.
Complaints? Well, while Hornby's screenplay often sings, he doesn't bring proceedings to a satisfactory end. And it's hard to argue that the film won't look every bit as good when it plays one evening, presumably the Christmas after next, on BBC1. But perhaps a movie being uncinematic isn't quite the criticism it once was. In an age where television often outstrips its big brother, the fact An Education will be a highlight of future festive schedules is just something else to recommend this great British film.

