Set in London during the 1960s, a young schoolgirl is torn between studying for a place at Oxford and the rather more exciting alternative offered to her by a charismatic older man. Jenny (Carey Mulligan) is on the cusp of her 17th birthday yet finds herself in a whirlwind romance with David (Peter Sarsgaard), a man almost twice her age. Prior to meeting David, Jenny's life consisted of school and study in preparation for university.Once she sees the lifestyle her older partner can provide, Jenny is hooked and thoughts of Oxford go out the window. Charmed by her new life of holidays in Paris, classical concerts and dining in fine restaurants with her older suitor, the truth comes crashing down. Jenny goes from being a bright eyed school girl to a sophisticated young lady and then all the way back to questioning if she really knows who she is at all.