Educating Rita

 

Educating Rita 1983

• Director: Lewis Gilbert
• Seen by this director: Shirley Valentine, Moonraker, Friends, Alfie
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Julie Walters, Michael Caine, Michael Williams, Maureen Lippman, Malcolm Douglas
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Julie Walters – Mamma Mia Here We Go Again, Brooklyn, One Chance, The Hollow Crown, Harry Potter, Filth, Mamma Mia, Becoming Jane, Driving Lessons, Wah-Wah, The Calendar Girls, Before You Go, Billy Elliot, Titanic Town, Intimate Relations, Prick Up Your Ears
• Michael Caine – Interstellar, Batman x 3, Inception, Harry Brown, Flawless, Flawless, Children of Men, Last Orders, The Cider House Rules, Little Voice, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sleuth 1972, Alfie
• Michael Williams – Tea with Mussolini, Henry V
• Maureen Lippman – Doctor Who, The Pianist, Love’s Labour’s Lost
• Malcolm Douglas - Michael Collins
• Why? A real favourite

Seen: Three times previously. Now 2 May 2021      

       In a sort of modern-day Pygmalion, working class Rita (Walters) makes the courageous decision to start at Open University. She has the misfortune to get as her tutor the drunken, jaded, cynical literature professor Frank (Caine). Fortunately for her she’s not afraid to speak her mind. And she doesn’t take no for an answer. She’s there to learn and he will bloody well teach her.

       Walters is luminous in the role and Caine isn’t bad either. They both won Baftas as did the film, and Oscar nominations.

       Enough said. If you haven’t seen it, hurry and do so immediately. 

 5* of 5