Product: Educating Rita (UK) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - United Kingdom ]
Rating: 4.0
Rita As Student And Teacher
Educating Ritais a funny and enjoyable movie that is difficult to classify. On the one hand, this is definitely light-hearted fare that tries not to take anything too seriously. Yet on the other hand, this is really good! I am not sure if one could call this a masterpiece per se. But if it isn't a masterpiece it's pretty darned close to one. This is the most fun movie I've seen in a long time.The CastThe cast members of this movie deserve special mention because they really are the difference maker. Michael Caine is very good as the professor, which is not surprising considering his track record.But Julie Walters as Rita steals every scene. Her boisterous personality is endearing and amusing. It is a perfect complement to his mostly conventional performance. It's even more impressive considering her prior experience was mostly in the theatre. Indeed, that year she was nominated for the BAFTA award for "Most Outstanding Newcomer To Film."I have also seen other films with Julie Walters where she doesn't have *the accent.* Her cockney accent in this film is almost a character in and of itself. It's very effective in creating a sense of her character as a free-spirited and salt-of-the-earth personality. And it also makes some of her simple lines very funny.Incidentally, in 1984 this pair were each nominated for best actor and best actress awards by the Academy. While neither won the Oscar, they each won the respective Golden Globe and BAFTA awards. Of course, it would have been quite a coup to win the Oscar in that year, since they were each up against Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine for their incredible performances inTerms of Endearment, another great picture. I am glad I didn't have to cast the vote in that year, considering what a difficult choice it would have been to make.Even if the entire cast consisted of those two alone, this would be an award worthy performance. But the additional supporting cast is also good, though they can't stand out from the shadows of those two.The Story and the ScriptSpeaking of awards, Willy Russell was also nominated for Best Screenplay, Adaptation. Once again,Terms of Endearmenttook the Oscar in that category but "Educating Rita" was nominated by every significant awards organization.While I won't comment on the worth of the adaptation versus the original, the script does follow that common formula ofPygmalion, where a woman is taken under the wing of a man in the attempt to "civilize" her. Yet in his role as teacher, Caine's character is quickly bested by Rita. It appears that he is the one who has much to learn from her.Most of the beauty in the screenwriting is found in the sharp and witty dialogue shared by this pair. The writing is indeed intimate and effective. I often found myself laughing unexpectedly.While the plot itself must to a degree be described as "predictable," the artful way the story is developed is definitely the hallmark of good writing and direction.ConclusionThis film is a beautiful and funny statement on life and personal growth. The dialogue will make you laugh, the performances will leave you in awe and the total result will make you want to watch this one again and again. I highly recommend this movie for all those who haven't seen it yet.Enjoy!