An Education is in a class by itself. Carey Mulligan tops my Top 10 Actresses of 2009 list with her breakthrough performance as a 16 year old English schoolgirl who becomes involved in a romantic relationship with a man in his 30s.

Jenny (Mulligan) is an intelligent, extroverted high school student who can't wait for her life to expand beyond the borders of her suburban London neighborhood. When a wealthy and socially connected gentlemen takes an interest in her, introducing her to his glamorous lifestyle, Jenny feels her sheltered life opening up. Watching Mulligan as Jenny go through a full spectrum of emotions is simply fascinating, andAn Education is one of the more memorable movies of 2009 thanks in large part to her performance.