Don't listen to the negative reviews

A Masterpiece!

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Released in 1983 and directed by Lewis Gilbert from Willy Russell's script, "Educating Rita" is a drama starring Julie Walters in the titular role as a spirited 26 year-old blue-collar woman from Liverpool, England, who wants to improve her life by enrolling in a special Open University class. She meets with her jaded tutor, Professor Frank (Michael Caine), once a week to study great literature. The morose Frank spends his days in a boozy haze and is intrigued by the outspoken Rita as the mentee lights a fire in the mentor that's been out for a long time. The plot was taken from George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" (1913), which was the basis for the 1956 Broadway play "My Fair Lady," which was in turn made into the famous 1964 movie of the same name. In Roman mythology Pygmalion was a sculptor who fell in love with an ivory statue of a beautiful woman he had carved. That's fitting for "Educating Rita.I generally enjoyed this drama for several reasons. For instance, I appreciate the locations (Dublin, Ireland, standing in for Liverpool) and the theme: Rita's preconceptions that those in academia lead superior, happier lives are challenged by Frank's failing relationships and pathetic alcoholism, not to mention her cultured flat mate's struggles with severe depression(Maureen Lipman). Despite this, Rita seems to become a stronger person as she learns and adapts to academia.Unfortunately, the movie's lacking in some ways. For one, while Walters is fine in the eponymous role, she was 32 during filming and looked about 35 (her character is supposed to be 26 when introduced). More importantly, the drama just isn't that compelling. I suppose it doesn't help that the character arc of one of the main characters is unsatisfying, even frustrating, but I suppose it could be argued that that's just the way it is sometimes; and it is. ADDITIONAL CAST: Jeananne Crowley plays Frank's live-in non-lover, Professor Julia, while Michael Williams plays the dean of the university and Julia's secret lover, Brian. Malcolm Douglas appears as Rita's husband, Denny. The movie runs 110 minutes and was shot in Dublin, Ireland. GRADE: C+

Michael Caine plays Dr. Frank Bryant, a literature professor at an open university who has an alcohol problem. Julie Walters plays Rita White, an ambitious young woman who enrolls in Frank's class, and wants him to tutor her. Frank agrees, being impressed with her determination, but Rita must contend with her unsupportive husband, who wants her to stay home, and her hairdressing job, which she must juggle with her studies. Frank & Rita form a deep friendship, as they end up inspiring each other to improve themselves, despite setbacks.Winning comedy drama has two excellent performances from the leads, who make their roles believable and appealing. Sure, the outcome isn't in doubt, but would you want it to end any other way? Also offers a distinct early 1980's atmosphere that is endearing.

'Educating Rita' follows in the grand tradition of British cinematic drama. It is an excellent, if slightly idealised follow-through to the likes of 'Saturday Night & Sunday Morning' or 'A Taste Of Honey', in the way that 'Billy Elliot' was a refinement of 'Kes'.Julie Walters plays the titular Rita. She's a working-class housewife who also does turns as a hairdresser. Her life is going absolutely nowhere. And she feels it. In truth; she is a highly intelligent and talented individual who has been betrayed by the education system. Now, a generation later, she means to try again.Micheal Caine plays the university tutor who finds himself tasked with her learning. He has demons of his own. Long-unresolved issues with an ex-partner and low self-esteem send him to the bottle for comfort.Gradually, a friendship develops between the two. For Caine's character it becomes a little more. But Rita is too self obsessed to notice. She likes her mentor, but she doesn't love him.These two characters dominate this movie. There are some perfectly competent cameos from other British actors, but cameos are all they are. This is a story about two people. There are lots of interesting touches and unexpected turns. Rita finds lodgings with a woman of similar age who possesses all of the wit, charm, and 'posh education' that she herself craves. But yet this woman is unloved, and all of these treasures are no substitute. She attempts suicide. Caine's character possesses them also, yet he is a self-destructive alcoholic. Its message seems to be 'All that glisters...' The ending is neither happy nor sad. It is simply a steadfast resolution in that great British tradition.Walters is so talented that she would give a wonderful turn even without a director. And I personally regard this as Caine's best work. I cannot imagine anyone not thoroughly enjoying this movie. It is, frankly, a belter.Although released in 1983, I'm not certain as to when it is actually supposed to be set. Caine's character is driving a Triumph Herald; that car went out of production in 1971. Also, the airport and the airport protocol look decidedly 60's. So I dunno.But not to worry. Just give it a whizz and watch two British Greats strike sparks off a cracking script and play the devil with all manner of stirring situations.

This is a fantastic British film with two fantastic actors, a great setting and story of a close friendship (although some could see it as a near-love story), and from director Lewis Gilbert (Alfie, 3 James Bond films, Shirley Valentine). Dr. Frank Bryant (BAFTA and Golden Globe winning, and Oscar nominated Sir Michael Caine) is the whiskey drinking (almost always drunken) English literature teacher bored with his job and reflecting on his failed marriage and attempt to become a poet. Then one day his world is turned upside down by the arrival of hairdresser Rita, aka Susan (debuting BAFTA (for actress) and Golden Globe winning, and Oscar and BAFTA (for newcomer) nominated Julie Walters) who has decided to take an Open University course. Frank is excited by her observations of things, and her interesting personality. The film mainly sees many discussions they have towards an exam essay, the troubles Rita has to achieving these ambitions of her's, including husband Brian (Michael Williams) who doesn't approve on her education, and their close friendship as she works towards this exam, and Frank just works and makes a fool of himself in his drunken nature. In the end, they are parted by Frank travelling on train to another country, and in the original script they were to have a kiss, but being a teacher-student relationship it would be inappropriate, although a kiss instead of a hug would have been interesting (even if wrong). Also starring BAFTA nominated Maureen Lipman as Trish, Jeananne Crowley as Julia, Malcolm Douglas as Denny, Godfrey Quigley as Rita's Father, Dearbhla Molloy as Elaine, Pat Daly as Bursar, Kim Fortune as Collins, Philip Hurdwood as Tiger, Hilary Reynolds as Lesley, Jack Walsh as Price, Christopher Casson as Professor, Rosamund Burton as Denise and Marcus O'Higgins as Marcus. I really like Caine as a drunken not always caring guy, and Walters' Liverpudlian accent, it creates many of the giggles, well, they both do. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, it won the BAFTA for Best Film, and it was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Foreign Film - England and Best Screenplay. Sir Michael Caine was number 44 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, and he was number 7 on The 50 Greatest British Actors, Julie Walters was number 5 on The 50 Greatest British Actresses, and she was number 2 on Britain's Finest Actresses, and the film was number 13 on The 50 Greatest British Films. Very good!