Educating Rita (1983)

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 Gilbert

Writer:

Willy Russell (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Caine, Julie Walters, Michael Williams

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Dr. Frank Bryant
Julie Walters	...	Rita Susan White
Michael Williams	...	Brian
Maureen Lipman	...	Trish
Jeananne Crowley	...	Julia
Malcolm Douglas	...	Denny
Godfrey Quigley	...	Rita's Father
Dearbhla Molloy	...	Elaine
Patrick Daly	...	Bursar (as Pat Daly)
Kim Fortune	...	Collins
Philip Hurd-Wood	...	Tiger (as Philip Hurdwood)
Hilary Reynolds	...	Lesley
Jack Walsh	...	Price
Christopher Casson	...	Professor
Rosamund Burton	...	Denise

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.

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Plot Keywords:

hairdresser | professor | teaching | doctor | reference to william shakespeare | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes students end up being the best teachers.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Educando a Rita

Filming Locations:

University Philosophical Society, Graduates' Memorial Building, Trinity College, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Acorn Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the original theatrical production premiered at London's Donmar Warehouse in 1980, Julie Walters played opposite Mark Kingston with direction by Mike Ockrent. The play went on to become one of the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company)'s biggest successes.

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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.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Frank walks on campus and addresses some students]
Dr. Frank Bryant: Good afternoon.

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Connections

Referenced in Acting: Michael Caine: On Acting in Film, Arts, and Entertainment (1987)

User Reviews

singing a better song

What a novel concept - a college movie that isn't about frat parties! Since "Educating Rita" is one of the only movies which explores the true value of schooling, it remains close to this nerd's heart. In fact, in a rather weird conjunction with "Rocky," it inspired me to leave my lousy office job and get a graduate degree - to better meself, as Rita might say.

What are the criticisms here - too long, too stagey, silly synth music? This is not my idea of a slow movie. I like the characters enough to stick with them, even if they aren't...well...moving around much! Surely their personal conflicts are interesting enough to keep me watching, even in the absence of car chases and explosions.

Walters and Caine are likable, the message is empowering (but realistic - Rita really suffers when she tries to change her life), and, just for a change, alcoholism is treated as a serious problem. Is it too sentimental? Well, I always cry. Or at least sniffle. I think that means the movie is moving, rather than sentimental.

Enough defensiveness - this movie is lovely! Where's the American DVD release, then?