Educating Rita
Seen it?1983 | 106 min | Drama, Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It collected a shelf of major awards, though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or Amadeus, start here.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 46 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
Rita, a witty 26-year-old hairdresser, wants to 'discover' herself, so she joins the Open University where she meets the disillusioned professor of literature, Dr. Frank Bryant. His marriage has failed, his new girlfriend is having an affair with his best friend and he can't get through the day without downing a bottle or two of whisky. What Frank needs is a challenge... and along comes Rita.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Won 3 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Film, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role. Also nominated for 3 Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 2 more BAFTAs.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$15 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 77K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
- Michael CaineDr. Frank Bryant
- Julie WaltersRita Susan White
- Michael WilliamsBrian
- Maureen LipmanTrish
- Jeananne CrowleyJulia
- Malcolm DouglasDenny
- Godfrey QuigleyRita's Father
- Dearbhla MolloyElaine
- Kim FortuneCollins
- Pat DalyBursar