beautiful
laundrette reviews
Not just a gay love story!
This film works on a number of different
levels. Firstly, there is the love affair between the two main characters, Omar
and Johnny, brought to life by brilliant performances from both Gordon Warnecke
and Daniel Day-Lewis. The audience remains mostly in the dark about the history
shared by the lovers... were they lovers before their chance meeting and
subsequent re-discovery or were they just friends as children and lovers as
adults? Clearly, though, there has always been a close bond between the two
which has remained in tact, even after Johnny had abandoned his friend to join
a group of Neo-Nazis. This is where the real complexities of the story lie. The
fact that Omar and Johnny embark on a gay love affair seems almost incidental.
Rather, it is the power relations between the two that is important. Class,
ethnicity, kinship and community are central in shaping the way in which each
character perceives their role within the world. Thatcherism and the
'entrepreneurial spirit' has fuelled Omar's ambition to make something of
himself in 80s Britain. Conversely, Johnny seems to have resigned himself to
his downtrodden status since society has done nothing to help him, so why
should he do anything for society? Thus, class is very much an issue here.
Ethnicity, too, is key, as the roles of the downtrodden and oppressed seem to
have been reversed, with the white, working-class Johnny being the 'victim' of
the system rather than the Pakistani, middle-class Omar. Despite all of the
differences, however, essentially it is their love for each other that keeps
them together. There are occasions when Omar questions whether he and Johnny
can really be together in the long-term, such as when he contemplates marriage,
whilst Johnny seems to be subordinate, almost passive, towards Omar because of
his love for him. Despite all of their differences they both seem to have a
profound respect for one another, which will hopefully enable them to continue
their relationship, although the ending is left rather open. The main thing
when watching this is to view it not only as a gay love story. It also provides
a snapshot of 80s Britain and an illustration of the fluidity of identity, and
of the different life chances that people had, which is clearly still as
relevant today as it was back then.
He'll go
to college
"He'll (Omar) go to college and study. He
must. We all must. So we can see clearly who is doing what to whom." This
is the view of Poppa, Omar's father. This bedridden man is an ex-journalist
from Pakistan who has lived to see his wife throw herself in front of the
trains that rattle incessantly outside his flat and his own students march past
with National Front. To top it off, his younger brother, Nasser, who carried
his typewriter when they were boys back in Pakistan, has become the
"Sardou of South London," a big enough cheese to give his own son a
failed laundrette to run. "Government grant." But, Uncle Nasser has a
chink in his armor, too: will his relationship with his mistress, Rachel, last
as long as that with his wife? Both brothers look to a union between Omar and
Tania, yep, Nasser's daughter, as the key to the future of their band of
Pakistani immigrants in a land that doesn't want them. Will these energetic
offspring comply with their plans? Omar seems closer to the randy and
remorseful Johnny than anyone. Smart cookie that she is, Tania packs her
belongings in her Princess suitcase and...Everyone has a decision to make in
this fascinating sociological study of Thatcherite England. Wonder what
everyone is doing now?
Politics,
Sex, and Punk Rock
Want to see a side of London you won't get from
any other director? Then watch My Beautiful Launderette... The film opens with
a scene in which squatters are forcibly evicted from a derelict building.
Londoner viewers will recognize this as a sad yet common event... Immediately,
we are attuned to the political bent of the movie. Fortunately for that intent,
the dialogue in the film is intelligently written (note: this will not appeal
to the lowest common denominator -- it scores low on commercial appeal).
Unfortunately, the often "stiff" delivery of that dialogue is a
significant impediment. That said, Daniel Day Lewis lends a powerful presence
to his role as the punk squatter, Johnny.
The climax of the film aptly integrates the various tensions in the film: political, sexual, and social. We're surprised with a love scene between Johnny and Omar which is well-paced, erotic, and genuine.
The climax of the film aptly integrates the various tensions in the film: political, sexual, and social. We're surprised with a love scene between Johnny and Omar which is well-paced, erotic, and genuine.
My review
Positive review
'My Beautiful Laundrette' takes a look at the
80's local life within the Asian communities in England and between the British
Southeast Asians and the British Caucasians. What I loved about this film is
that it presents its themes without going overboard to explain or to resolve
anything. When we see a relationship develop between Omar and Johnny, one would
expect to see them get attacked for it and then expect a preachy message like
gays have rights too but there is nothing like that. There are scenes where the
British Asians are being humiliated but this too does not lead to a bloodbath
of sorts. It is all downplayed and subtle. It's about the characters, rather
than a social message (but that's there too).
'My Beautiful Laundrette' mainly centres on Omar and his relationship with Johnny. Hanif Kureishi is known for telling tales about unconventional relationships and I thought it was great that both characters were shown to be open about their relationships in spite of their background. I mean they weren't screaming from the roof or anything but these two individuals did not care what others would think concerning their relationships. Frears deserves full marks for telling the story in such a raw, real, humorous and coherent way. The humour too is subtle and dry and flows well through the story.
The renovated laundrette too plays a crucial role. It is a place of comfort for Omar and Johnny, kind of like a home they built and decorated. The customers are amused by the beauty of it. A fascinated Nasser dances with his girlfriend while the customers eagerly wait outside. Thus, it becomes a place of comfort for many.
'My Beautiful Laundrette' mainly centres on Omar and his relationship with Johnny. Hanif Kureishi is known for telling tales about unconventional relationships and I thought it was great that both characters were shown to be open about their relationships in spite of their background. I mean they weren't screaming from the roof or anything but these two individuals did not care what others would think concerning their relationships. Frears deserves full marks for telling the story in such a raw, real, humorous and coherent way. The humour too is subtle and dry and flows well through the story.
The renovated laundrette too plays a crucial role. It is a place of comfort for Omar and Johnny, kind of like a home they built and decorated. The customers are amused by the beauty of it. A fascinated Nasser dances with his girlfriend while the customers eagerly wait outside. Thus, it becomes a place of comfort for many.
