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Educating Rita (1983) 7.1
Ratings:
7.1/10 from 7,272 users
Metascore: 52/100
Reviews: 62 user | 17 critic | 9 from Metacritic.com A young wife decides to complete her education and take her exams. She meets a professor who teaches her to value her own insights while still being able to beat the exams. The change in ... See full summary » Director:Lewis GilbertWriter:Willy Russell (screenplay) |
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Title: Educating Rita (1983)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Michael Caine | ... | ||
| Julie Walters | ... |
Rita Susan White
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Michael Williams | ... |
Brian
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| Maureen Lipman | ... |
Trish
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Jeananne Crowley | ... |
Julia
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| Malcolm Douglas | ... |
Denny
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Godfrey Quigley | ... | |
| Dearbhla Molloy | ... |
Elaine
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Patrick Daly | ... |
Bursar
(as Pat Daly)
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Kim Fortune | ... | |
| Philip Hurd-Wood | ... |
Tiger
(as Philip Hurdwood)
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Hilary Reynolds | ... |
Lesley
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Jack Walsh | ... |
Price
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Christopher Casson | ... |
Professor
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Rosamund Burton | ... |
Denise
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
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Storyline
A young wife decides to complete her education and take her exams. She meets a professor who teaches her to value her own insights while still being able to beat the exams. The change in her status causes friction between her and her husband. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
Plot Keywords:
hairdresser | professor | teaching | doctor | reference to william shakespeare |Taglines:
From the writer of Shirley Valentine. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
21 September 1983 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Educando a Rita See more »Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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[Frank walks on campus and addresses some students]
Dr. Frank Bryant: Good afternoon.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
When Frank is getting the hidden liquor bottle from his bookshelf, he gets it from behind a book titled The Lost Weekend, a clear reference to the 1945 film of the same name. The movie features alcoholism as well. See more »Goofs
In the sequence leading up to Frank telling Rita that he is an appalling teacher, the way Rita holds the mug of whiskey changes. See more »Quotes
[first lines][Frank walks on campus and addresses some students]
Dr. Frank Bryant: Good afternoon.
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"Educating Rita", directed by Lewis Gilbert, is an overlooked gem of a film. I first saw this film in 1984, a year after it's release, and since have championed it as one of the best romances ever made.
Based on a London stage play, "Educating Rita" is the story of a twenty seven year old middle class London hairdresser/housewife (Julie Walters, in an excellent performance) who, before having children, would like very much to learn about herself. Much to the annoyance of her husband, she enrolls in an "open university" literature course to begin her journey (open university is the British term for college night courses). Assigned as her tutor is Frank (Michael Caine, in one of his best roles), an older literature professor who suffers from low self esteem and has his own relationship problems.
Had this film been made in the machine that is Hollywood, USA, Rita and Frank would have slept together within two scenes of meeting each other (and it would have been graphic, of course), then realized they were in love, followed by the inevitable obstacle to their relationship (probably a misunderstanding or rival for affections), finally ending up with them overcoming all. Every character and plot point would have been telegraphed well in advance. "Educating Rita" does none of this. There are no graphic sex scenes (or any sex scenes for that matter), no grand pronouncements of love, no cliche cliffhangers or deaths in icy seas. Instead, the story portrays Rita and Frank in a very realistic, human manner. As the story unfolds, we watch as they grow as individuals which causes their friendship to become richer. There are turns to the plot which are unexpected. I will not divulge what the end result is, as it is very unconventional and is sure to bring a lump to the throat of any romantic.
In all, "Educating Rita" is a very overlooked excellent character study framed by a wonderful story. When in the mood to watch a romantic film or two, forget "Titanic" and rent "Educating Rita" and "An Officer and a Gentleman".