Review of Educating Rita (1983) by Gareth R — 05 Aug 2007
Having seen most of the play only once, somehow I came to the film knowing all of it. This is probably because Willy Russell's writing is thuddingly simplistic - his life lessons are big, obvious and forced, as characters don't so much naturally transform as have it forced on them by the elements of narrative.
Yet despite the clodhopping simplicity, it remains somewhat unclear just what he's trying to say; Michael Caine and Julie Walters are admirable in the two lead roles anyway, and they make the endeavour very watchable.
It's also nice to see a few of the things only talked about in the play, although it does leave the two leads with conspicuously little to talk about. It looks nice, but the music is horrid and some of the supporting characters have wonky accents.
Fun enough, but not the masterpiece certain working class snob playwrights might consider it to be.
This review of Educating Rita (1983) was written by Gareth R on 05 Aug 2007.
Educating Rita has generally received positive reviews.
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