Mrs Overall Goes To College (Educating Rita (DVD))

Name: stoffy

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Product:	Educating Rita (DVD)
Date:	02/04/03 (795 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: wonderfully acted, great dialogue, highly entertaining

Disadvantages: none

Whether she’s doddering up and down in lumpy tights in a make-believe antiques shop in Manchesterford with a plateful of homemade macaroons, or playing a distraught mother seeking justice for her murdered son, Julie Walters is an undeniably versatile actress. Having worked on stage, screen and cinema for over 20 years, she remains one of British entertainment’s most talented and under-rated stars.

‘Educating Rita’, written by Willie Russell, was the film that launched Walters into the big time. Walters plays Susan, a bubbly Scouse hairdresser, determined to get herself an education and escape the drudgery of her life. She signs up to an Open University English Literature course, and is assigned as a pupil of Dr Frank Bryant (Michael Caine). Alcoholic and frustrated with the upper-class clones spouting recited rhetoric in his tutorials, the introduction of the peroxided Susan (or Rita as she introduces herself as, her way of paying homage to the author Rita Mae Brown that gave her the inspiration to read) gives him a new lease of life and purpose.

The film charts the relationship between Susan and Frank, as she changes from a naïve novice of the novel to an articulate oracle on all things academic.

The beauty of the film is the way it Susan’s character develops as she becomes more educated. In every scene, her character seems to gain new facets, whilst beneath the surface maintaining the down to earth charm and effervescence that was evident in the film’s outset. For example, it shows her initial fear of intellectuals on the same course and her gradual absorption into their circles as her confidence grows.

There are also some interesting scenes with her family, and how Susan’s husband values her uterus more than her desires and ambitions, and how parental pressure can manifest itself at the most inappropriate moments.

Frank’s perception of Susan also changes as th
e film goes on. From admiring her cheeky persona, he sees her transform gradually into a more considered woman, who’s passion for literature becomes more refined and sophisticated. At one point, Caine likens the refinement of Susan to having created Frankenstein’s monster, as she begins to think and speak like the academics that he has come to resent over his career. Caine pitches his character perfectly, and represents Frank’s alcoholism without a tired hamminess that is all to easy to employ.

The script is extremely witty, with some choice one-liners, particularly from Susan, and there are never any dips in the quality of the dialogue. There is also a delightfully eccentric star turn by Maureen Lipman as Susan’s arty flatmate, who’s joyful exterior belies an inner-pain. The late Michael Williams (Mr Judy Dench) also pops-up as Frank's best friend, who's affair with Frank's wife he weakly covers up by pretending to make phone calls to his agent.

There is also an underlying social commentary which appears to say that a University education is little more than a façade of intellect beneath repeated rhetoric. Whilst the film’s ending is on the surface a happy one, there is also a hollowness about it, and questions whether the ultimate goal is worth all of the sacrifices.

Beautifully acted, if a little dated in places, Walters and Caine were deservedly awarded Bafta’s in 1984 for their roles. Russell went on to produce works such as Shirley Valentine, whilst Walters and Caine have won numerous other accolades.

Able to be picked up for only £7 on DVD and much cheaper on video, this is highly recommended to any lovers of high-class British cinema.

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