Drama,Comedy,Romance
United Kingdom
Educating Rita is a British film directed by Lewis Gilbert and released in 1983. It is based on the stageplay of the same name by Willy Russell. The film stars Michael Caine as Dr. Frank Bryant and Julie Walters as Rita. The story follows Rita as she pursues an English literature degree at the Open University, under Dr. Bryant's guidance.
At the beginning of the film, Rita is a young hairdresser who is feeling unfulfilled in her life and wants to broaden her horizons. She decides to enrol in an Open University course in literature, where she meets Dr. Bryant, a jaded and alcoholic professor who has lost his passion for his job and his life.
Rita is determined to learn and grow, but she struggles to fit in with the other students and to understand the academic language of literature. Dr. Bryant initially dismisses her as a working-class woman with no hope of succeeding in his course, but over time, he begins to see her potential.
As they work together, Rita challenges Dr. Bryant to rediscover his passion for teaching and his own love of literature. She inspires him to give up drinking and start writing again. At the same time, Dr. Bryant helps Rita to overcome her insecurities and to believe in herself.
Despite opposition from her husband and the limitations of her own background, Rita perseveres and eventually passes Dr. Bryant's course with flying colours. However, her success comes at a cost, as she becomes increasingly isolated from her former friends and family.
The film ends with Rita making the difficult decision to leave her husband and pursue a new life as a writer. Dr. Bryant congratulates her on her achievements and they part ways, both transformed by their time together.
