Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth wrote it, based on a true story. It features an excellent ensemble cast of Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, Linda Bassett, Annette Crosbie, Celia Imrie, Geraldine James and Penelope Wilton, with John Alderton, Ciaran Hinds, Philip Glenister, Graham Crowden.
Some of the third act conflict seems a bit forced. Otherwise, most enjoyable.
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| The worst beard in the world |
Then, rewind twenty years. I was amazed to find that we didn't own a copy of Educating Rita. Luckily it was on ITVX and so when the ad breaks came up we were able to flit back to see how the Lionesses were doing in the Final against Spain.
Julie Walters had played Rita on stage in 1980. Both she and Michael Caine won BAFTAs and Golden Globes. (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala won screenplay for Heat and Dust.) They and Willy Russell were also Oscar nominated. They are both fabulous and Russell's screenplay is still brilliant. 'This tutor came up to me and said 'Are you fond of Ferlinghetti? And it was on the tip of my tongue to say 'Only when it's served with Parmesan cheese'.
People perhaps just think of Julie Walters as a comedienne but actually she's seriously good in dramatic roles, e.g. G.B.H, where she plays twin roles. It was her film debut. "Michael was lovely, so generous to me." I was thinking he probably was. Quoted in The Guardian.
With: Maureen Lipman. Photographed by Frank Watts (mainly TV). David Hentschel's music doesn't let the side down too badly.
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