Enter Rita (Educating Rita (DVD))

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	Educating Rita (DVD)
Date:	17/09/08 (77 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A touching tale

Disadvantages: None

I first saw Educating Rita about 3 years ago when it came as a free disc within the Daily Mirror. As it was a free disc I didn't hold out much hope for it but when I placed it into the DVD player my mum exclaimed that she'd seen it before and that it wasn't half bad. She wasn't wrong; I really enjoyed watching it and have since watched it numerous more times.

Educating Rita was released in 1983 and stars Michael Caine and Julie Walters. At nearly 25 years old therefore you might be led to believe that it will be a bit drab and not at all appropriate to life today. You would be wrong however to believe this as in my opinion Educating Rita is as appropriate today as it was when it was first released. The story it tells is extremely true to life and is not only told in a touching way but also in a way that pulls the audience along on an emotionally moving journey, in which the lead characters find a new lease of life through each other.

Dr Frank Bryant was once an extremely successful university professor of literature who could spend hours reflecting on a single line of prose. However since his discovery of his wife's affair he finds greater solace and comfort reflecting in a glass or two or three of Whisky. His life seems empty now and he has resigned himself to a life of empty lectures teaching students who all take a cold and harsh analytical approach to literature. The only thing that can pull him out of this rut is a challenge...... enter Rita.

Rita, a 26 year old hairdresser and house wife, is married to Denny who will not stop pestering her about having a baby. Rita however is more than reluctant to give him a child - she much rather discover herself. In a search to do so she decides to join the Open University and better herself by studying Literature. Within no time Rita has earned the respect of the Dr who sees her freewheeling and from the heart observations as a breath of fresh air. Can Rita be just the person to make Dr Bryant once more care about the subject he has devoted his life to.

With the help of each other both he and Rita awaken the situation in which they find themselves and side by side come to realise not only the power that lies behind education but also the power that lies in having someone else to confide in.

Educating Rita is for me a very powerful and inspiring tale of self-discovery. Without delving too deeply the film manages to delicately show how maybe when you've hit rock bottom it's time to stand up and do something for yourself. The way in which this is done however never becomes cold or clinical and remains always a heart-warming tale of struggle becoming strength.

Michael Caine and Julie Walters are beyond perfection for the roles that they play. Walters brings a real spark to the character of Rita and plays her with a great amount of energy and enthusiasm. It is this joyful spirit that really breathes life into Caine's character and makes him realise what is really important to him in life. Caine himself is like he always is, outstanding in his performances. He plays the stuck in a rut professor with a flare that no one else could and is a great contrast to Walters more vibrant character.

The shooting of the film is also brilliant. All the scenes including those both outside and inside are brilliantly shot and masterfully combine tasteful lighting, interesting camera angles, cleverly constructed settings and some superb music. All of this however is given it's chance to shine because of the impressive script which is both humorous and touching and so really pulls together the entire affair.

What impressed me most about this film however is the fact that the story didn't go the way I expected it too when I first heard about it. I expected this tale of discovery to someone wind up being a tale of romance. This would however have ruined the entire make-up of the film and I'm so glad that this doesn't occur. By keeping the relationship between Rita and Frank completely platonic the film therefore also boasts how it is often a friendship rather than a romantic relationship that can really pull someone out of the dumps and help them get their life back on track.

"Rita: Frank.
Dr. Frank Bryant: What?
Rita: Thanks."

Educating Rita has a 15 rating and runs for 105 minutes. It can currently be purchased for £3.99 on play.com and for me this is an absolute bargain price for a film that everyone should certainly see once.

Summary: Julie Walters and Michael Caine - what more can you need?