Talking points – Educating Rita Educating Rita is a British 1983 drama/comedy film with a screenplay by Willy Russell based on his 1980 stage play. Liverpudlian hairdresser Rita, played by Julie Walters, wants to better herself by studying literature. Her assigned Open University professor is jaded, alcoholic lecturer Frank Bryant (Michael Caine) who describes his occupational ability as "appalling but good enough for his appalling students". His passion for literature is reignited by Rita, whose lack of technical ability for the subject is outweighed by her whose enthusiasm.
The movie
Director Lewis Gilbert claimed it was difficult to raise finance for the film, as Columbia wanted him to cast Dolly Parton as Rita. However he persevered in casting Julie Walters, in her feature film debut, to reprise her role from the earlier stage production.
The film was shot in various locations around Dublin, including both Trinity College and University College Dublin, Grand Canal Dock and Ballsbridge. The scene in France was actually shot in Maynooth, Co Kildare.
It won multiple major awards for best actor and best actress and was nominated for three Academy Awards. The music of 1983 Culture Club – Karma Chameleon The Police – Every Breath You Take David Bowie – Let’s Dance Bananarama – Cruel Summer In 1983… January – The first British breakfast TV programme, Breakfast Time, was broadcast by the BBC; Seatbelts became compulsory in the front of passenger cars in the UK February – Pat Jennings, 37-year-old Arsenal and Northern Ireland goalkeeper became the first player in the English game to appear in 1,000 senior football matches March – The compact disc (CD) went on sale in the UK September – 38 prisoners armed with six guns hijacked a lorry and escaped from HM Prison Maze. One guard died of a heart attack and 20 others were injured. It was the largest prison escape since World War II. 19 escapees were later apprehended Also in 1983: Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi won 8 Academy Awards. The first episodes of Blackadder and Blockbusters both aired. The final episode of MASH was broadcast to record-breaking audiences. Michael Jackson’s Thriller video aired on MTV for the first time. Terry Pratchett wrote the first Discworld novel, ‘The Colour of Magic’ and Barbara Cartland wrote 23 romantic novels. McDonald’s introduced the McNugget, and James Dyson produced his prototype vacuum cleaner.