Educating Rita
Dr. Frank Bryant (Michael Caine) is an alcoholic professor of literature headed for dire straits. Rita is a frustrated young housewife filled with wanderlust. When the two meet as student and teacher, no lecture hall can contain their attraction for one another. As Rita engages her teacher in a fuzzy romance, she matures and discovers a new side of herself, but in the end she must choose either her marriage or the magnetic Dr. Bryant.
Member Reviews
Uneven - grmpyungman
This is supposed to be a classic, and in many ways it's a "must-see" movie. But overall it was uneven. The good parts were really good, but I'm not sure this movie aged well. Parts are repetitive, predictable, and at worst, banal. And don't get me started on the synthesized theme music!
But if you love Michael Caine and haven't seen this movie, or if you wonder whether your BA in English Lit was worth anything, zip this movie.Delightful Story, Great Acting - woodman95
Michael Caine was always a favourite of mine since I first saw him in The Ipcress File way back in the 60s/70s. And when I saw his performance in this film, he again delivered the goods.
As the professor of the adult student Julie Walters, he again shines as the consumate professional he is.
Be sure to see this movie. It'll be enjoyed by all.There Must Be A Better Song - revsdd
The highlight of this movie is without doubt the performances of Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Their strong performances were essential to make this movie work. Essentially a retelling of Shaw's "Pygmalion" set in the contemporary world of a university campus, the story isn't at all original (although it has a few twists) but Caine and Walters make it worth watching.
Caine is Dr. Frank Bryant, an English Professor who struggles with demons of his own, in a relationship that isn't working well and spending a good deal of his time drunk. Into his life comes Rita (Walters.) She's an Open University student who wants to overcome her working class roots and become educated and cultured. She has to overcome opposition from her own husband and family, who are upset with her because she's been married six years and hasn't had a baby yet. Bryant and Rita develop a bond and help each other overcome their personal challenges and find transformation. Rita leaves her husband behind and becomes a full time student, while Bryant - after an embarrassing scene in which he's falling down drunk in front of his class - is packed off to Australia, which represents for him a new beginning.
I appreciated the decision not to turn this into a romance between Bryant and Rita. That seemed to be the way the ending was headed and it would have been the wrong way to go. Instead, Rita simply meets Bryant at the airport as he's flying off and thanks him for everything he's done and - whatever his personal problems - for being such a wonderful teacher to her. It's a very moving closing scene, largely because there's no romance. They simply go their separate ways into new lives. The line that stands out for me is spoken by Rita's mother. The family gathers in a pub and sings along with the music. Her mother, looking unhappy, says to Rita, "There must be a better song." She - alone among the family - understands Rita's need to get away. Very well done.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Uneven - grmpyungman
This is supposed to be a classic, and in many ways it's a "must-see" movie. But overall it was uneven. The good parts were really good, but I'm not sure this movie aged well. Parts are repetitive, predictable, and at worst, banal. And don't get me started ...Delightful Story, Great Acting - woodman95
Michael Caine was always a favourite of mine since I first saw him in The Ipcress File way back in the 60s/70s. And when I saw his performance in this film, he again delivered the goods.
As the professor of the adult student Julie Walters, he again ...There Must Be A Better Song - revsdd
The highlight of this movie is without doubt the performances of Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Their strong performances were essential to make this movie work. Essentially a retelling of Shaw's "Pygmalion" set in the contemporary world of a university ...