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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Rita, Sue and Bob too

309 replies

BeachBlondey · 09/02/2023 13:00

As a Happy Valley fan, I was surprised to find out that the actors who played Nev and Clare in Happy Valley, were actually in two main roles of the Rita, Sue and Bob too film from the 80s.

It's made me think about that old film again, and I'm actually shocked that it was made at all.

There is some discussion online today about the film, and most comments are along the lines of "great film", "a British Classic", and so forth.

The plot (for those who haven't seen it), is centered around a fully grown married man, who seduces grooms two 15 year old school girls and engages in lots of sex with them, mainly in his car (iirc).

How the hell was this okay, to put this out as a comedy, even back then? And how can the majority of people who remember the film, still think it's a great British classic?

OP posts:

ZombieKettle · 09/02/2023 13:02

It's actually a very dark, bleak film and I believe was based on the writers own personal experience. It's not a comedy.

OldTrot · 09/02/2023 13:03

It's a fantastic film. Thought provoking, gritty and yes, funny

Should we not make / read/ watch/ consume ANYTHING at all? Just because it doesn't suit a 2023 narrative

NotSorry · 09/02/2023 13:03

I thought it was questionable back in the day - so goodness knows how people think it's a classic more than 30 years later!

NowDoYouBelieveMe · 09/02/2023 13:03

Apparently the stage version was not a comedy and the author was unhappy with the film.

Dijoduo · 09/02/2023 13:04

No one is saying it’s acceptable behaviour, are they? Should we all just watch Teletubbies because we can’t allow for bad things to happen in films?

Beenmum · 09/02/2023 13:05

I remember seeing it - I can’t remember much but I do remember coming away realising how lucky I was

Tirednest · 09/02/2023 13:05

Have you seen it? It's not a comedy. There are some comedic elements at the start.

x2boys · 09/02/2023 13:08

BeachBlondey · 09/02/2023 13:00

As a Happy Valley fan, I was surprised to find out that the actors who played Nev and Clare in Happy Valley, were actually in two main roles of the Rita, Sue and Bob too film from the 80s.

It's made me think about that old film again, and I'm actually shocked that it was made at all.

There is some discussion online today about the film, and most comments are along the lines of "great film", "a British Classic", and so forth.

The plot (for those who haven't seen it), is centered around a fully grown married man, who seduces grooms two 15 year old school girls and engages in lots of sex with them, mainly in his car (iirc).

How the hell was this okay, to put this out as a comedy, even back then? And how can the majority of people who remember the film, still think it's a great British classic?

The Author who had a tragic life and died at just 29 years old based much of her work on her own life experiences ( although apparently she wasn't happy with the finished film) she grew up.in the estate it was filmed in and went to the school.in the film.

Ponoka7 · 09/02/2023 13:08

It was true to life in many areas. School girls who were being exploited by older men were branded as slags and the blame was put on them. It was a dark comedy. Siobhan has been in a lot of ITV dramas and I always picture her as Rita. Both were in Emmerdale and Corrie as well. I'm waiting for the play to be on the Liverpool Empire and to see how they have adapted it.

x2boys · 09/02/2023 13:09

And no.it's not supposed to.be a comedy ,although there are some very funny parts in it imo.

Raquelos · 09/02/2023 13:13

I dunno how Scarface got the green light either!! Shocking innit.

Mrsjayy · 09/02/2023 13:15

It was based on a real life girl it's meant to bleak , I am sure the writer died young.

FatSealSmugSoup · 09/02/2023 13:16

All I can think is “great” because of how far we’ve come. I was a teen when that film came out and although there was an uncomfortable feeling around it - I still wondered why I wasn’t attractive enough to have an old(er) boyfriend.

im fucking delighted that within my lifetime the entire population is able to stand up and say “oh hell no!”

It doesn’t do any of us any good to erase history - instead we should be celebrating that now EVERYONE knows the difference between an older boyfriend and dirty fucking paedophile.

x2boys · 09/02/2023 13:17

Mrsjayy · 09/02/2023 13:15

It was based on a real life girl it's meant to bleak , I am sure the writer died young.

She did 29 years old from.a brain haemorrhage ,she had two daughters who.have also had awful lives .

Mrsjayy · 09/02/2023 13:18

x2boys · 09/02/2023 13:17

She did 29 years old from.a brain haemorrhage ,she had two daughters who.have also had awful lives .

Show quote history

I remember reading about her it Is tragic.

SoCunningYouCanStickATailOnItAndCallItAFox · 09/02/2023 13:23

My memory of the film is that it wasn't condoning the behaviour it was shining a light on it and whilst there were moments of humour that wasn't the point.
Didn't it make conversation and awareness around this kind of 'boys will be boys' attitude towards bored married men exploiting vulnerable young girls, actually being recognised for the crap apology it was more mainstream.
Iirc the wife of the cheating husband's pov was well done (reaching far back here mind you)

theoldhasgone · 09/02/2023 13:24

It wasn't a how to guide ffs

notacooldad · 09/02/2023 13:26

Yes you are being very uR.
Even now a lot if that film is an every day occurrence for some if the teens that I work with and they wint accept they are being exploited so in that way it does reflect real life for some.

With regard to the film being a comedy, as nearly everyone pointed out, it's not.

My view is that I dont want my films, songs and books sanitised and everything sugar coated.
I didn't particularly enjoy Rita Sue... but I dont want to stop anyone else watching it.

charabang · 09/02/2023 13:26

I went to an all girls school in the 80s. It really wasn't unusual for there to be men in cars collecting their underage GFs. My friend was 12 when she dated a man in his 30s. We actually thought she was so sophisticated.

MermaidEyes · 09/02/2023 13:29

It is a classic film though. Classic films don't necessarily mean happy comedy. Trainspotting is a classic, yet the theme is addiction. Saturday Night Fever is a classic, yet it contains rape, drug abuse and death.

Original poster

BeachBlondey · 09/02/2023 13:29

OldTrot · 09/02/2023 13:03

It's a fantastic film. Thought provoking, gritty and yes, funny

Should we not make / read/ watch/ consume ANYTHING at all? Just because it doesn't suit a 2023 narrative

No, I'm not saying that at all. I'm shocked that this was seen as ok, and normal in 1987 - for a married man to be having sex with 15 year old's.

OP posts:

KangarooKenny · 09/02/2023 13:30

East is East is actually a very dark film when you think about it, but it’s also very funny in places. Just like R, S and B too.
Tney are both films of their time, you do t have to watch them.

Badger1970 · 09/02/2023 13:31

It was one of the films I watched the most growing up. And yes I'd say it's a classic but I remember how bloody grim it was not how funny.

And I'd also add that several of my school friends in the early to mid 80s all had relationships with teachers or people that they babysat for. It wasn't seen as grooming in those days at all, far from it.

SusiePevensie · 09/02/2023 13:31

Yes - and the play then film is part of what shifted mindsets

MermaidEyes · 09/02/2023 13:31

charabang · 09/02/2023 13:26

Mandy Smith and Bill Wyman springs to mind. Somehow perfectly acceptable back then.

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