Educating Rita [1984]

It seems to me that hardly a major British movie in the last 20 odd years hs been released not featuring Julie Walters. Here she is just phantastic. One has to admire her and Michael Caine's acting.

As a previous reviewer wrote this movie is about choice, the choice one aquires through education. But it shows as well that there are limitations to it: education does not make you per se more happy or a better person. Acquiring eductation requires determination, sacrifice, hard work and curiosity. Education can be used as well to shield oneself from the realities of life and hid oneself away in an ivory tower of intellecutual discussions. And above all eductaion is not just university education.
Here university professor (Michael Caine) and haidresser (Julie Walters) learn from each other and both change a lot through this process. And this is wonderful to observe. Reading what I just wrote it must seem to some that this movie is rather heavy. But that is not the case - it is entertaining and one laughs a lot!!!

5 stars in 1984 - 5 stars in 2004


An absolute classic   December 28, 2001
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I am a great movie fan and a tough critic, but this is without doubt one of the best films I have ever seen. It is a real British classic. Julie Walters and Michael Caine produce excellent performances and a great on screen chemistry. Parts of the film made me howl with laughter. Julie Walters character is so witty and lovable. If you're any sort of movie fan then this is a film that you just HAVE to see!


One Woman's Struggle To Better Herself Against All The Odds   March 3, 2000
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

By far one of my favourite films this superbly written and performed film, based on the stage play, really does make a sharp point about society, class and self-worth. Walters is terrific as jaunty Rita, an unfulfilled hairdresser who finally decides to go for the education she so desperately yearns for. And the somewhat underrated actor Michael Caine does wonderfully as her depressed, alcoholic tutor jaded and disappointed by life and also longing for a breath of fresh air. Together, they strike up a friendship and through eachother learn to live again. The way we see Rita develop as she goes through the course compliments the change going on inside her and her struggle to co-ordinate her growth with her already established life is superbly displayed. Match that with a comic sub-story of Caine's partner having an affair with his friend, a dazzling cameo by Maureen Lipman and Caine's portrayal of a man growing increasingly fond of his protegee and you have a very good film indeed. I also loved the way Russell didn't take advantage of the fact that his protagonists were of the opposite sex and make them a couple like so many playwrites fall into the trap of doing.


I Have Seen This Movie 5 Times. And LOVED it Each Time   October 25, 2003
Roberta E. Jasina
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

An incredible love story where the two main characters never kiss. They love each other in different ways. It's also a tragedy. One of the characters has a fatal flaw, and you can see throughout the movie how the flaw will keep him from what he wants. He wants many things. Poetry. Love. Youth. Hope. The movie is also about choice, and about life. It is a laugh-out-loud comedy too. You Must See This Movie! What the heck. Just go ahead and buy it, like I did. It's well worth it.


A film to keep you warm   March 9, 2004
G. J. R. Morris (Derbyshire UK)
6 out of 12 found this review helpful

Educating Rita is a feelgood film that dispays some exelent performances by Caine and Walters.
As with all well known stars, they have to spend the introduction of the film divorcing themselves from the enevitable prepreceptions of the audience and establishing themselves as the characters at hand.
This they do with great skill and subtlty although Walters "cockney accent", although not critical is fairly unconvincing but does not detract from her overall performance.
The film is a great nostalgic walk back into the not too distant past and stirs all sorts of feelings if you are from that era, like the gaudy flowered wallpaper in the pre buldozed terraced houses and the loud corner pub.
The only irritating thing was the soundtrack and the annoying music of what can only be described as the work of a demented scorewriter.
If this film is re-released with a more intelegent score it will sell like hotcakes.