A Liverpool hairdresser unhappy with her marriage and her lot in life enrols on an Open University course hoping to expand her horizons. The lively pupil provides some much-needed inspiration for her boozy, world-weary tutor, but over time, he begins to question whether his influence is entirely positive. Comedy drama based on Willy Russell's stage play, starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters.

Rita, a witty 26-year-old hairdresser, wants to 'discover' herself, so she joins the Open University where she meets the disillusioned professor of literature, Dr. Frank Bryant. His marriage has failed, his new girlfriend is having an affair with his best friend and he can't get through the day without downing a bottle or two of whisky. What Frank needs is a challenge... and along comes Rita.