Year: 1987
Runtime: 93 min
Language: English
Director: Alan Clarke
Two teenage babysitters, Rita and Sue, living in a working-class neighborhood in northern England, become entangled in an affair with their affluent employer, Bob. As Bob's marriage falls apart, the two young women find themselves navigating a complicated and increasingly precarious relationship, blurring the lines between desire and exploitation while seeking an escape from their difficult circumstances.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1987), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Rita and Sue are two teenage girls nearing the end of their school years, living in a dilapidated council estate in Bradford, West Yorkshire. They take up babysitting jobs for a middle-class couple, Bob and Michelle, who reside in a more affluent neighborhood. One evening, while driving the girls home, Bob takes a detour to the Yorkshire moors. During this ride, he opens up about the intimacy issues in his marriage and shockingly suggests engaging in sexual relations with both girls, to which they eagerly agree, igniting a controversial affair.
Meanwhile, Michelle starts to suspect her husband of infidelity, especially after discovering a pack of Durex condoms in his pants. Despite Bob’s denial and the girls’ attempts to reassure her, the tension escalates. On another occasion, Bob’s attempt at intimacy with Rita and Sue ends in him being unable to perform, leaving both girls dissatisfied. To alleviate the awkwardness, he takes them to a club, where his indiscretions are further complicated when Mavis, a friend of Michelle’s, spots them together.
As expected, Mavis informs Michelle the following day. Fueled by suspicion, Michelle confronts Rita at her home and drags her along to Sue’s flat, where the situation escalates into a chaotic confrontation involving Bob, Rita, Sue, and even Sue’s parents. An explosive argument ensues, creating quite the spectacle in front of their neighbours. Just when emotions are high and tensions threaten to erupt into violence, Rita’s brothers arrive on motorbikes to her rescue. Feeling utterly humiliated, Michelle returns home, wreaks havoc in the house, and ultimately decides to leave Bob, taking the children with her.
The very next day brings further news as Sue reveals to Rita that she’s pregnant with Bob’s child and plans to move in with him now that he is single. Rita is crestfallen when Bob shows up to take her home, and she angrily tells them both to leave.
As Sue tries to move on from Bob, she begins a relationship with Aslam, a Pakistani cab driver. Their connection is soon jeopardized when Sue’s drunken father hurls racist insults at Aslam after a night out. Determined to escape the turmoil at home, Sue makes the decision to move in with Aslam and his sister.
The plot thickens when Sue visits Rita in the hospital, only to run into Bob, who attempts to rekindle their previous fling. She declines, but Aslam sees her exiting Bob’s car and accuses her of infidelity, leading to a heated confrontation. In the heat of passion at home, when Bob inadvertently calls out Sue’s name while with Rita, chaos ensues. Rita, angered by the thought of Bob possibly seeing Sue behind her back, rushes out to confront her. This confrontation leads to Aslam violently confronting Sue, but Rita steps in to defend her friend. Together, the two girls escape from his wrath and head to Bob’s place for refuge.
Once at Bob’s house, the girls think they are safe until Aslam arrives at the door, determined to win Sue back. Despite their resistance, the situation becomes dire, prompting a police intervention following a neighbor’s call. Aslam manages to evade capture just in time, running from the scene.
Feeling empowered, Rita tells Bob that she is allowing Sue to stay with them, regardless of his protests. The two girls sneak upstairs, leaving Bob feeling abandoned. Surprisingly, when he follows, he discovers both girls waiting in bed, ready to join him in an unforeseen twist of their tumultuous tale.
Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:45
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Unflinching looks at teenagers pushing boundaries in unforgiving environments.If you liked the raw and risky behavior of the teenagers in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, explore more movies featuring young protagonists navigating dangerous freedoms. These stories often feature a fast pace, chaotic energy, and a dark tone, focusing on characters from working-class backgrounds who challenge social norms.
Stories in this thread typically follow teenagers who, feeling trapped by their socioeconomic or familial situations, engage in risky behaviors as a form of escape or self-assertion. Their journeys are often chaotic and morally ambiguous, exploring the consequences of their actions without offering easy moral judgments.
These movies are grouped together by their shared focus on the volatile and often reckless energy of teenage rebellion, set against bleak, unforgiving backdrops. They share a gritty, raw aesthetic and a confrontational approach to themes of class, sexuality, and power.
Where sharp humor cuts through the grim reality of dysfunctional relationships.Movies like Rita, Sue and Bob Too that use dark comedy to explore the breakdown of relationships and social norms. These films balance a fast pace and high intensity with sharp, situational humor, creating a unique and bracing viewing experience.
Narratives in this thread often involve entangled relationships that spiral into chaos, using comedic moments to highlight the absurdity and tension within serious situations. The plot moves quickly through a series of betrayals and confrontations, leading to an ending that offers no clear resolution, leaving the audience to sit with the moral ambiguity.
These films are connected by their distinct tonal blend: they are fundamentally serious dramas that are punctuated by dark, situational humor. This creates a specific, bracing vibe where laughter is uneasy and the emotional weight remains heavy, making the social commentary more potent.
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Track the full timeline of Rita, Sue and Bob Too with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Rita, Sue and Bob Too. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Rita, Sue and Bob Too: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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