Rita, Sue and Bob Too

Rita, Sue and Bob Too is a 1986 British comedy‑drama film directed by Alan Clarke and written by Alastair Campbell. The film is notable for its depiction of working‑class life in Thatcher‑era England and for its blend of humor with social realism.

Synopsis
The narrative follows two teenage girls, Rita (Alison Steadman) and Sue (Rachel Davies), who live in a council flat in Bradford. Both become involved in a romantic and sexual relationship with Bob (George Costigan), a married electrician living in the same building. The film explores the dynamics of their affair, the social environment of the characters, and the consequences that unfold as their clandestine relationship becomes increasingly public.

Production

• Director: Alan Clarke, known for his gritty social commentaries in television and film.
• Screenwriter: Alastair Campbell, who later became a political aide to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
• Cinematography: Roger Pratt.
• Music: Composed by The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr.
• Budget: Approximately £300,000; financed primarily by Channel 4 and the British Film Institute.
• Filming locations: Primarily shot on location in Bradford, West Yorkshire, with interior scenes filmed at Shepperton Studios.

Release and Reception
The film premiered at the 1986 Toronto International Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release in the United Kingdom later that year. Critical response was mixed to positive:

• The Guardian praised its “sharp observational humor” and “unflinching look at working‑class relationships.”
• Sight & Sound highlighted Clarke’s “uncompromising directorial style” and the film’s “raw emotional honesty.”
• Some critics, however, criticized the film for perceived sensationalism and for its treatment of teenage sexuality.

Box‑office earnings were modest, reflecting its limited distribution, but the film achieved a cult following in subsequent years.

Legacy
Rita, Sue and Bob Too has been referenced in academic discussions of British social cinema and feminist film studies. The title itself became a cultural shorthand in the UK for discussing taboo or unconventional romantic arrangements. In 2019, the British Film Institute included the film in its “Top 100 British Films of the 20th Century” list, citing its impact on independent British filmmaking.

Home Media and Restoration
The film was released on VHS in the late 1980s, followed by DVD and Blu‑ray editions in the 2000s. A 4K digital restoration was completed in 2022 by the BFI, accompanied by a newly recorded director’s commentary.

See also

• British social realism
• Alan Clarke filmography
• Thatcher‑era cinema

References

1. British Film Institute, Rita, Sue and Bob Too – Production Notes.
2. Clarke, Alan (Director). Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1986). Channel 4.
3. Campbell, Alastair. Screenplay: Rita, Sue and Bob Too. (1986).
4. The Guardian, “A Look Back at Alan Clarke’s Work,” 12 May 1999.
5. Sight & Sound, “Review: Rita, Sue and Bob Too,” Issue 12, 1987.