In Liverpool, 27-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 middle-aged Dr. Frank Bryant (Sir Michael Caine), an alcoholic, debauched upper-class professor whose life has left him emotionally drained and without self-esteem. Frank lives in a loveless marriage with Julia (Jeananne Crowley), who's also a professor. 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