Educating Rita (1983)

In Liverpool , twenty-seven year-old hairdresser Rita decides to complete her basic education before having children as desired by her husband Denny. She joins a literature course in an ... See full summary »

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

Willy Russell (screenplay), Willy Russell (stage play)

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
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

In Liverpool , twenty-seven year-old hairdresser Rita decides to complete her basic education before having children as desired by her husband Denny. She joins a literature course in an open university and is tutored by the middle-aged Dr. Frank Bryant, an alcoholic and debauched professor from the upper-class whose life has left him emotionally drained, without self-esteem. Frank lives with Julia, who's also a professor, and have a loveless marriage; Julia has a love affair with the Dean Brian. Rita's humor and determination to improve herself is contagious; she gives motivation to Frank who helps prepare her for the exams to join the university, and be able to leave Denny. Will she succeed in the exams?

---

Plot Keywords:

professor | open university | hairdresser | teaching | essay writing | 

---

Taglines:

Sometimes students end up being the best teachers.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Educando a Rita

Filming Locations:

8 Hogan Avenue, South Lotts, Ringsend, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$73,518, 25 September 1983

Gross USA:

$14,648,076

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,648,076

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

The source stage play of the same name by Willy Russell, on which this movie was based, only featured two characters, Frank and Rita, and hence is what is known in the theater world as a "two-hander". The stage production is set entirely in Frank's academia office. The other characters in this movie are only mentioned in the theater play.

---

Goofs

When Rita tells Frank that she will get her own flat, her position next to the table, and the way she holds her cigarette, change between shots.

---

Quotes

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

---

Alternate Versions

In a version screened on British TV in the '80s and '90s, Frank tells the imaginary Morgan to 'p*** off', not 'f*** off'; Michael Caine's voice is quite badly dubbed.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Golden Gong (1985)

---

Soundtracks

Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467, 2nd movement Andante
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (uncredited)
[Record played in Julia's flat]

User Reviews

The truth in fiction

At first,ye,ye Julie Walters is a working class woman,awkward husband who doesn't want her to go to tutorials with Tutor Michael Caine.Then she becomes too knowledgeable nd know it all,distancing her from the prof.Yep sums up the film.Yet I watched it in silence,and it hurt.Her flatmate Trish saying'when there is no poetry and music it's just me,and that's not enough'.It was a bit close for comfort,yes it's a funny film,but the quandary Rita ends up in is too true.But as she says'at least I have the choice'.Lifes what you make it I suppose. I think if there is any film too watch that you can genuinely learn from,this is the one. Eleanor