Caine and Walters give a good show (Educating Rita (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Educating Rita (DVD)
Date:	11/09/08 (122 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Plot, lead actors

Disadvantages: Drags a little in places

Willy Russell is well known as a playwright. He has written many a script for the stage, one of these being Educating Rita. In 1983, director Lewis Gilbert took Russell's play and adapted it for the big screen, making it into a feature film and drawing in top actor Michael Caine. It was also Julie Walters' first major feature film.

The script was originally intended for the stage, and was thus just a dialogue, taking place entirely in an office. For the screen, it was amended and several locations were used to make it more appealing. This included the addition of a number of extra characters who are merely spoken about in the original play.

The plot, however, does not really change. Essentially, it is the tale of a young working class woman, Rita (Julie Walters) who embarks on an Open University course to study literature. She finds herself lumbered with Dr Frank Bryant (Michael Caine), a grumpy English prof with a penchant for a bit of alcohol on a frequent basis. The pair of them struggle through her course together, becoming platonic friends and helping each other through whatever life throws at them.

Caine is magnificent as the alcoholic professor, and gives a performance very much in the ilk of Oliver Reed, only maybe a little less gruff. Walters is perfect at acting common, and does so very well here. I admire both these thespians, and I believe they always give good performances. Caine recent efforts in Sleuth are excellent, as is Walters' energy in Mamma Mia! The remainder of the cast is negligible, and are treated that way by the director. Of note is Maureen Lipman who gives a good performance as Trish, but the majority of the characters merely serve to break up the monotony of watching the same two characters throughout the film.

Director Lewis Gilbert has given us a bit of a treat, here, although the problem does come with a script that was intended for the stage. In trying to remain true to Russell's script and, no doubt, his wish to keep it that way, the director has shot himself in the foot in terms of limitation. The involvement of other cast members is sufficiently subtle, but at times, the plot does seem to drag and the direction seems to wane. I am unsure whether this is to do with the actual script itself or any adaptation thereof, but in mind, it may have been better if it had been kept as a dialogue, featured completely in the one room as the play intended.

The film did very well, winning at the BAFTAs, but despite Oscar nominations for Caine and Walters, it won nothing across the pond in the States. I regard it as a bit of a subtle gem. The great acting performances and clever plot do go hand in hand, and it is a film I have happily watched a few times now. Perhaps not one to spend a great deal of money on, but if it's on, you should definitely give it a go.

Summary: Great 1983 British film