Susan, a married woman in her twenties working as a hairdresser in a northern English town, signs up for an Open University course.  Under intense pressure from her husband to have a baby, she does not feel ready, first determined to ‘find herself’.

 Having changed her name to Rita after the author of her favourite book, she timidly arrives at the local University where she meets Frank, her tutor.  Middle aged, jaded and disillusioned, Frank dulls his disappointment with life through drink, only having accepted the OU job for the money.

As time goes by, Rita’s enthusiasm and natural wit and intelligence move Frank to overcome his reticence and he becomes fired with the idea of giving Rita education and sophistication. Along the way his excitement and love for literature is also rekindled.

Based on the story of Pygmalion, Rita rises to the challenge and surprises even herself, while Frank begins to fall in love with his creation.  She leaves her marriage and moves in with the exuberant and exciting Trish, ditching hairdressing to work in a trendy bistro.  She befriends many of the middle class students at the University and is accepted by the other professors and their wives.

Unable to see that she is no longer dependant on him, Frank asks Rita to spend the rest of her life with him, an offer she politely refuses.

New emotional challenges await Rita in what from the outside looked an idyllic life, but with her sharp wit, powerful personality and fierce intelligence she is more than equipped to cope.  

This warm, moving and hilarious comedy has proved an enduring success both on stage, in Willy Russell’s two-hander, and as a film.  A genuinely uplifting story, Julie Walters lights up the screen in her first film role with a script full of cracking dialogue, humour and warmth.

Running time – 110 minutes

Starring
Michael Caine
Julie Walters

Produced and directed by
Lewis Gilbert

Screenplay by
Willy Russell.

An Acorn Pictures
presentation of a
Lewis Gilbert Film.

Best Actor
Michael Caine

Best Actress
Julie Walters

Best Film – British Academy Awards, 1984