What Is Rita, Sue and Bob Too About?
The premise of Rita, Sue and Bob Too in 341 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the grey‑washed suburbs of Bradford, the film settles into a world where drab council houses press up against more polished middle‑class streets, creating a palpable contrast that feels both intimate and unsettling. The everyday sounds of a working‑class community—bustling markets, clattering buses, laughter spilling from cramped kitchens—mix with a lingering sense of yearning for something beyond the soot‑stained walls. A dry, observational humor runs alongside a raw social realism, giving the picture a tone that is simultaneously witty, uneasy, and oddly hopeful.
_ Rita_ and Sue are two teenage girls on the cusp of adulthood, sharing a cramped flat and a friendship forged by shared hardship and an unrelenting desire to escape their circumstances. They take on babysitting work for a seemingly respectable couple, stepping into a home that feels like a different world—cleaner, more spacious, and tinged with the promises of middle‑class stability. Their employer, Bob, is a charismatic but weary man whose own marriage shows signs of strain, and whose presence introduces a ripple of intrigue that disrupts the girls’ routine.
The connection between the three is charged with an uneasy mix of curiosity, attraction, and power imbalance. Bob offers the girls a glimpse of a life beyond their council estate, while Rita and Sue bring a youthful boldness that both excites and unsettles him. Their interactions are laced with a tentative flirtation that hints at deeper complications, setting the stage for a delicate dance of desire and exploitation. The film watches this triangle closely, letting the audience feel the tension that builds in ordinary moments—a shared drink, a lingering glance, a quiet conversation that suggests more than what is said.
As the story unfolds, the stark environment and the characters’ restless ambitions keep the audience poised on the edge of possibility. The film invites viewers to contemplate how far the girls might go to break free from the constraints of their world, and what the cost of such a pursuit could be, all while maintaining a balance between humor and the stark realities of the lives it portrays.
What Happens in Rita, Sue and Bob Too?
The complete story of Rita, Sue and Bob Too, from the first scene to the last, in 576 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
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.
Rita, Sue and Bob Too Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Rita and Sue's Babysitting Jobs” to “Twisted Conclusion”. 6 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Rita and Sue's Babysitting Jobs
Rita and Sue, two teenage girls, take up babysitting jobs for a middle-class couple named Bob and Michelle. They live in a dilapidated council estate in Bradford and are eager to earn their own money while experiencing life outside their neighborhood.
Where:Bradford, West Yorkshire
- 2
The Detour to the Yorkshire Moors
One evening, Bob offers to drive Rita and Sue home but takes a detour to the Yorkshire moors instead. During this drive, he reveals his marital issues and shocking suggests a sexual encounter with both girls, igniting a controversial affair.
Where:Yorkshire moors
- 3
Michelle's Suspicion
Michelle grows suspicious of Bob's infidelity after discovering a pack of Durex condoms in his pants. Despite the girls' reassurances and Bob's denials, the tension in their relationship continues to mount as she seeks the truth.
- 4
Bob's Intimacy Issues
Bob's attempt to engage in intimacy with Rita and Sue backfires when he is unable to perform. This leads to an awkward atmosphere, which he tries to ease by taking the girls to a club for a distraction, though complications follow.
Where:Club
- 5
Mavis's Revelation
At the club, Bob's indiscretions are spotted by Mavis, a friend of Michelle's, who informs Michelle the next day. This revelation fuels further suspicion and conflict between the couples, leading to a confrontation.
- 6
Chaotic Confrontation
Michelle confronts Rita at her home and takes her to Sue’s flat, where a chaotic confrontation unfolds. Bob, Rita, Sue, and Sue's parents are involved in an explosive argument, drawing the attention of their neighbors.
Where:Sue's flat
- 7
Rita's Brothers Arrive
As tensions escalate, Rita's brothers arrive on motorbikes to protect her, diffusing the volatile situation. Humiliated, Michelle returns home, unleashes her anger on Bob, and ultimately decides to leave him, taking the children with her.
- 8
Sue's Pregnancy Reveal
The following day, Sue reveals to Rita that she is pregnant with Bob's child and plans to move in with him since he is now single. Rita is heartbroken when she sees Bob arriving to take her home, resulting in a painful confrontation.
- 9
Sue's New Relationship
As Sue tries to move past her relationship with Bob, she begins dating Aslam, a Pakistani cab driver. Their budding romance faces challenges when Sue's father hurls racist insults at Aslam during a night out.
- 10
Confrontation with Bob
While visiting Rita in the hospital, Sue unexpectedly runs into Bob, who attempts to rekindle their past affair. When Aslam sees her exiting Bob's car, he confronts Sue, leading to a heated argument that strains their relationship.
Where:Hospital
Show the other 5 events of Rita, Sue and Bob Too Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Passionate Chaos
During a private moment, Bob inadvertently calls out Sue's name while with Rita, igniting a chaotic reaction. Rita is furious and races to confront Sue, resulting in a violent showdown between Aslam and Sue.
- 12
The Escape to Bob's Place
Rita and Sue manage to escape from Aslam's wrath and head to Bob's house seeking refuge. They believe they are safe until Aslam shows up at the door, demanding to speak with Sue, creating an intense standoff.
Where:Bob's house
- 13
Police Intervention
The tension at Bob's house escalates, prompting a neighbor to call the police. Aslam narrowly evades capture as the situation spirals out of control, further complicating the already tumultuous lives of the characters.
- 14
Rita's Empowerment
Feeling empowered, Rita informs Bob that Sue will be staying with them regardless of his protests. They then sneak upstairs, leaving Bob feeling abandoned and confused about their intentions.
- 15
Twisted Conclusion
In a surprising twist, Bob discovers Rita and Sue waiting in bed for him. This unforeseen turn of events marks a dramatic conclusion to their complicated saga, blurring the lines of their relationships.
Who Are the Main Characters in Rita, Sue and Bob Too?
5 characters, among them Rita, Sue and Bob: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 2 of them link to the actor’s page.
- R
Rita
Rita is a headstrong and adventurous teenage girl who finds herself embroiled in a controversial affair with Bob. Her desperation for love and acceptance drives her decisions, often leading to conflict and chaotic situations.
- 👩🎓 Teenage
- ❤️ Headstrong
- S
Sue
Sue is a more sensitive and vulnerable character often overshadowed by Rita's boldness. Her experiences with love and the challenges she faces with her family drive her to make difficult choices about relationships and identity.
- 👩🎓 Teenage
- 💔 Vulnerable
- B
Bob
Played by Danny O'Dea
Bob is a middle-class man experiencing marital discord who finds himself attracted to both Rita and Sue. His inability to maintain emotional stability leads to turmoil in his relationships, impacting all parties involved.
- 👨🦰 Adult
- 😔 Complicated
- M
Michelle
Played by Michelle Holmes
Michelle is Bob's suspicious and ultimately betrayed wife. Her journey revolves around her struggle to understand the unraveling of her marriage and confronting the harsh realities of infidelity.
- 👩💼 Adult
- 😡 Jealousy
- A
Aslam
Aslam is a Pakistani cab driver who becomes a romantic interest for Sue. His character highlights the theme of racial tension and the complexities of intercultural relationships in modern society.
- 🚖 Connector
- 💖 Romantic
Where and When Is Rita, Sue and Bob Too Set?
Rita, Sue and Bob Too is set in Bradford, West Yorkshire and Yorkshire moors. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The story captures the lives of two teenage girls navigating the complexities of adulthood and relationships. The themes of infidelity and social class provide a snapshot of societal issues not limited to any specific historical period.
Where
Bradford, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire moors
Bradford is a city in West Yorkshire, known for its rich history and diverse culture. The Yorkshire moors, on the other hand, are expansive landscapes characterized by rolling hills and vast open spaces, often associated with peace and natural beauty.
- 🏙️ City
- 🌄 Nature
What Are the Themes of Rita, Sue and Bob Too?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Infidelity, Social Class and Friendship.
-
01
Infidelity
Infidelity is a central theme, explored through the actions of Bob and his complicated relationships with Rita and Sue. Michelle's suspicions and the fallout from Bob's transgressions highlight the emotional turmoil that ensues when trust is broken.
-
02
Social Class
The contrast between the two girls' working-class background and Bob and Michelle's middle-class status illustrates the theme of social class. Their relationships reveal the divisions and challenges that arise due to differing social circumstances.
-
03
Friendship
Friendship between Rita and Sue serves as a strong foundation amidst the chaos of their lives. Their bond is tested by romantic entanglements but ultimately demonstrates resilience and loyalty in difficult times.
What Kind of Film Is Rita, Sue and Bob Too?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A raw and chaotic British drama-comedy that moves at a brisk pace, chronicling the gritty and often unsettling sexual entanglement of two teenage girls with an older man, creating a tense and morally complex viewing experience.
- chaotic
- gritty
- exploitative
- rebellious
- unsettling
- raw
- coming of age
- class divide
- sexual exploitation
- infidelity
Content notes: sexual content involving minors, racist abuse, domestic confrontation.
Quiz
How well do you remember Rita, Sue and Bob Too? Test yourself on the story.
