A review of the 1983 film “Educating Rita”
It took me over 60 years to catch up with this starring vehicle for Michael Caine, by which time he had retired at the age of 90 after a career involving over 130 cinematic appearances, this being one of his finest. His co-star, Julie Walters, has done much of her most memorable work on television, but here shines as brightly as any point in her own long career. For their wonderful performances in this film, Caine and Walters both won BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for best actor and best actress.
Caine is Dr Frank Bryant, a disillusioned, hard-drinking university professor of literature. Walters is a 26 year old working class hairdresser who wants to discover herself. These very different characters are brought together when Bryant becomes an Open University tutor to the aspiring Rita. The witty script is by Willy Russell who adapted his own stage play. Lewis Gilbert produced and directed this aeon to the transformative power of education. Alone the way, you’ll learn the meaning assonance.