Educating Rita 10/02/10

So here we go...film number 2!

I had really forgotten just how special Educating Rita was. There is something really brilliant about the two main characters, Frank and Rita that I can’t quite put my finger on.

Well, this film is about a lovely, loud mouthed scouser called Rita who goes back to school, essentially. Her new tutor Frank is a former poet and romantic who’s boozy, dampened spark is reignited by feisty young Rita the moment she stumbles into his office.

It would be unfair to call it a love story as that would be undermining, but there are definitely elements of elated and deflated feelings in the pit of my chest that can only come from a good romance story. Student/Teacher films often leave me feeling a sense of pride and achievement and this film has found such a wonderful formula for this that doesn’t make it sleazy or in anyway obvious. The relationship between the two is so subtle but immensely satisfying and heart warmingly hilarious.

Michael Caine portraying Frank is effortlessly good for a man who says he never really “acts”. His character is rebellious for his status socially and within the university and yet there’s something so soft and vulnerable about him at the same time. Whereas Julie Walters is unsurprisingly brilliant as the fresh faced northern lass from a working class family. I found her character broke the stereotypical mould in a way that was so subtle and so liberating all at the same time.

In all the film was immensely enjoyable although it’s so hard to explain why because everything about it is so subtle. Each scene is filled with wit, affection, insightfulness and complete lack of pretension, and I think everyone needs to remember exactly why they love this film, otherwise you’ll keep flicking past it when choosing a film to watch!

Mood-O-Meter:
When you’re feeling like you want to turn over a new leaf and do something inspiring, or you need to watch some tender, tender acting without a “puke-up-your-guts” romantic plot, this is the one for you.
Best watched at any time of the day!

Tunes:
The soundtrack is awful; the only thing holding this film in time. I would love someone to take this film and polish it up with a brand new lovely piano score.

Refreshments:
This is definitely a tea and biscuits kind of film; or milk and biscuits if you’re more like me. Maybe a nice Caesar salad sandwich and an apple juice.

Dad’s verdict:
Despite watching most of this while on his laptop he managed to give it a 9/10 with the comment “It’s stood the test of time”. I agree up to the point of the music…but it’s so funny how all the clothes are back in fashion now!