Storyline

In Liverpool, twenty-seven-year-old hairdresser Rita (Dame Julie Walters) decides to complete her basic education before having children, as desired by her husband Denny (Malcolm Douglas). She joins a literature course in an open university and is tutored by the middle-aged Dr. Frank Bryant (Sir Michael Caine), an alcoholic and debauched professor from the upper-class, whose life has left him emotionally drained, without self-esteem. Frank lives with Julia (Jeananne Crowley), who's also a professor, and has a loveless marriage. Julia has a love affair with Dean Brian (Michael Williams). Rita's humor and determination to improve herself is contagious. She gives motivation to Frank, who helps prepare her for the exams to join the university, and be able to leave Denny. Will she succeed in the exams?—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Keywords

hairdresser, wife, husband, professor, blue-collar worker, alcoholic, witty, endearing, touching, amusing, charming, england, office, great britain, hair salon, college campus, student-teacher relationship, self-esteem, sexism, class distinctions, marital problems, transformation, love, rise, 1980s

Short Review

If only I'd been able to believe they were actually reading the books, then everything else would have fallen into place. But I didn't believe it.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership