Educating Rita

1983

Educating Rita

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

79%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 14

81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 7,841
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Educating Rita Photos

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Movie Info

The story of a difficult social transition. Rita is a hairdresser who feels that there should be more to life than having a baby with her husband. Feeling unready to accept the fate that society has in store for her, she secretly takes birth control pills behind her husband's back to grant her time to complete an Open University course and sit her exams. There she meets her professor Frank, a failed poet who has turned to alcohol. But Frank is injected with a new zest for life when hearing Rita's unconventional ideas. However, as Rita proceeds with her studies, education not only alienates her from her social class, but as Frank worries, starves her of that original charm that caught his attention in the first place.

Cast

Michael Caine
as Dr. Frank Bryant
Julie Walters
as Rita / Susan
Michael Anthony Williams
as Brian
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
Marcus O'Higgins
as Marcus
Mark Drew
as Disco Manager
Gabrielle Reidy
as Barbara
Des Nealon
as Invigilator
Marie Conmee
as Customer in Hairdresser's
Oliver Maguire
as Tutor
Derry Power
as Photographer
Alan Stanford
as Bistro Manager
Gerry Sullivan
as Security Officer
Patricia Jeffares
as Rita's Mother
Maeve Germaine
as Sandra
Liam Stack
as Sandra's Fiance
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Critic Reviews for Educating Rita

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (3)

View All Critic Reviews (14)

Audience Reviews for Educating Rita

  • Jan 10, 2014
    The intimacy of the play is ruined by the film's worthless expansion of it's world (who cares about anyone else except for Rita and Frank?) so even though Walters and Caine give excellent performances all of the potentially interesting themes get lost in boring secondary material.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 07, 2013
    Call this the poor man's Pygmalion. Michael Caine and Julie Walters don't do anything offensive but nor do they particularly soar. You watch it, shrug and carry on.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • May 10, 2013
    At heart it's an exhibition piece for the two leads and they do not disappoint. The score is ear-achingly bad though.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    If you are either in college currently or are thinking about going soon, you should see this movie. It's a very thought provoking, realistic, unique movie about education and life. I highly recommend it.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
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