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Episode 32 - Educating Rita - 'Not Rich Kids' Discuss
FOLLOW US:
Not a Rich Kid - Instagram
Educating Rita: Class, Education, and Finding Yourself
The hosts of Not Rich Kids Discuss review Educating Rita, outlining its origins as Willy Russell’s 1980 play and Lewis Gilbert’s film adaptation starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. They summarise the story of working-class hairdresser “Rita,” pressured by husband Denny to have a baby, who pursues Open University literature tutorials with the jaded, alcoholic tutor Frank Bryant; her passion renews his purpose as she navigates class anxiety, snobbery, and a sense of being “in between.” They contrast the film’s authentic desire for self-betterment with the Australian film Peterson, discuss Russell’s and Walters’ working-class backgrounds, and praise the film’s warmth, humor, nuanced characterisation, unobtrusive passage of time, and platonic teacher-student bond, while noting some convenient plotting and distracting synth music. All three rate it five stars.
00:00 Welcome and Film Intro
01:12 Plot and Themes Overview
02:10 Willy Russell Background
03:13 Julie Walters Connection
04:23 Meet the Panel
04:36 Reviews and Class Nuance
06:06 Comparing to Peterson
08:21 Rita Meets Frank
11:10 Marriage and Motherhood Pressure
13:14 Denny and Patriarchy
17:12 Snobbery and Curiosity
20:49 Open University and Mentorship
22:19 Choosing Yourself Not Romance
23:51 Pub Song and In-Between Life
26:22 Working Class Directness in Essays
28:23 Dialogue and Lasting Impact
28:35 Why It Hits Home
29:20 Hairdresser To Writer
29:51 Populism Versus Critics
31:27 Rita Heart And Humor
34:28 Bohemian Housemate Trap
37:31 Keeping Your Voice
38:50 Education Snobbery Rant
42:51 Macbeth Essay Moment
44:17 Music And Time Jumps
47:24 Convenient Plot Gripes
49:00 Five Star Wrap Up
50:53 Final Thanks And Credits
Get in touch:
Are you a working class person who wants to pursue a creative career but don't know where to start? Get in touch via instagram - we'd be happy to give you some advice.
Tell us who you would like to hear from. Is there someone we should invite on the podcast? Let us know!
The Not a Rich Kid Team:
Post audio - Mike Tillbrook
Theme song:
‘Barry Michael Takes a Train’ by Sand Pebbles - Written & performed by Ben Michael and performed and mixed by Murray Ono Jamieson.
Not a Rich Kid would not be possible without the support of:
Supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants
View all episodes
By Tummy Ache StudiosFOLLOW US:
Not a Rich Kid - Instagram
Educating Rita: Class, Education, and Finding Yourself
The hosts of Not Rich Kids Discuss review Educating Rita, outlining its origins as Willy Russell’s 1980 play and Lewis Gilbert’s film adaptation starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. They summarise the story of working-class hairdresser “Rita,” pressured by husband Denny to have a baby, who pursues Open University literature tutorials with the jaded, alcoholic tutor Frank Bryant; her passion renews his purpose as she navigates class anxiety, snobbery, and a sense of being “in between.” They contrast the film’s authentic desire for self-betterment with the Australian film Peterson, discuss Russell’s and Walters’ working-class backgrounds, and praise the film’s warmth, humor, nuanced characterisation, unobtrusive passage of time, and platonic teacher-student bond, while noting some convenient plotting and distracting synth music. All three rate it five stars.
00:00 Welcome and Film Intro
01:12 Plot and Themes Overview
02:10 Willy Russell Background
03:13 Julie Walters Connection
04:23 Meet the Panel
04:36 Reviews and Class Nuance
06:06 Comparing to Peterson
08:21 Rita Meets Frank
11:10 Marriage and Motherhood Pressure
13:14 Denny and Patriarchy
17:12 Snobbery and Curiosity
20:49 Open University and Mentorship
22:19 Choosing Yourself Not Romance
23:51 Pub Song and In-Between Life
26:22 Working Class Directness in Essays
28:23 Dialogue and Lasting Impact
28:35 Why It Hits Home
29:20 Hairdresser To Writer
29:51 Populism Versus Critics
31:27 Rita Heart And Humor
34:28 Bohemian Housemate Trap
37:31 Keeping Your Voice
38:50 Education Snobbery Rant
42:51 Macbeth Essay Moment
44:17 Music And Time Jumps
47:24 Convenient Plot Gripes
49:00 Five Star Wrap Up
50:53 Final Thanks And Credits
Get in touch:
Are you a working class person who wants to pursue a creative career but don't know where to start? Get in touch via instagram - we'd be happy to give you some advice.
Tell us who you would like to hear from. Is there someone we should invite on the podcast? Let us know!
The Not a Rich Kid Team:
Post audio - Mike Tillbrook
Theme song:
‘Barry Michael Takes a Train’ by Sand Pebbles - Written & performed by Ben Michael and performed and mixed by Murray Ono Jamieson.
Not a Rich Kid would not be possible without the support of:
Supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants