MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE
Directed by Stephen Frears
(1985)
Set in London, during the mid-eighties, My Beautiful
Laundrette tells the story of the young and unemployed Omar Ali (played by
Gordon Warnecke) and how he becomes the proprietor of a laundrette. Several
themes are tackled during the film including homosexuality, class, family,
money and economy, however the theme of race and racism is the most prevalent
and the driving force of the movie.
From the opening scene it is obvious that we are in poverty
stricken Britain. A sleeping Johnny (played by Daniel Day Lewis) is awoken and
kicked out of a run down flat by some thugs. The viewer assumes the dingy
dwelling is a squat and this aggressive and intimidating act can be seen as a
precursor to the violence that is presented during the film, which reaches an
apex in the final scenes.
The story centres on Johnny and how he is reintroduced to
the young Asian man called Omar. They were friends in their youth, but their
friendship ended when Omar's Father spotted Johnny at a National Front
march. Johnny is now older and his
racist past is behind him. This back-story is bestowed to the audience as the
plot progresses and reveals how racial tensions between the Asian and white
communities have developed in the years leading up to the setting of the film.
In contrast to the racial tension, Omar is a forgiving
individual and looks to help Johnny by offering him a job. As their friendship
progresses the two young men then enter a homosexual relationship which they attempt
to conceal from Omar's family.
When we are introduced to Omar we are also introduced to his
alcoholic Father - Hussein Ali (played by Roshan Seth). The setting is another
bleak and run down flat. Beige and smoke stained wall paper further emphasise
the discontent and present the viewer with a austere view of 1980's Britain.
This viewpoint is underlined when Omar's Father attempts to get his son a job
with Omar's Uncle - Nasser Ali (played by Saeed Jaffrey). Here we see the
closeness of the Asian family and how they look out for one another, but also
the lack of employment opportunities in times of austerity. References to high
unemployment levels and the need for business prospects litter the film,
painting a picture of discontent and bitterness.
My Beautiful Laundrette reaches its turning point when Omar
and Johnny open up a refurbished laundrette that Nasser Ali has imparted to
Omar. We see Omar and Johnny triumphing, despite the desolate backdrop of
Margaret Thatcher's Britain. The laundrette itself is in contrast to setting of
London the viewer is given; it is clean bright and shiny. Neon lights make the
building standout and this is in stark contrast to the block of flats and the
post war modernistic buildings that surround the launderette.
Although an important issue, Homosexuality is not given the
same gravity or attention as race. The gay relationship is more implicit and
the intimate moments occur behind closed doors and in the dark. However, this
makes the homosexuality seem more forbidden and tainted, adding a degree of
danger to the relationship between the two characters.
During the opening ceremony arranged for the laundrette,
Johnny and Omar retreat to the back office and are concealed behind a one way
mirror. Here they have sex, while we can see Omar's Uncle dancing within the
laundrette with his mistress. This scene emphasises the absurdity of the
suppression of Omar and Johnny's relationship. Nassir Ali can explicitly cheat
on his wife, while two young men in love have to be discreet. When Nassir
enters the back office to find the two men swiftly getting dressed, Omar
instinctively states they were just sleeping. Nassir's expression shows he does
not believe his Nephew and he ignores the issue.
Omar's father is constantly trying to find his son a wife,
suggesting he is aware and concerned about his son's sexuality. This makes the
sexual aspect of My Beautiful Laundrette feel like an elephant in the room, as
opposed to a serious issue that needs to be tackled.
Costume and location firmly places My Beautiful Laundrette
in 1980's London, however this is not a glamorous or regal London. There are no
shots of Buckingham Palace or the Houses of Parliament. Instead we see run down
streets and arrogant and racist punks terrorising the Asian community. London
appears as a city divided. The film however, is beautifully shot. If you were
to take one single frame, there would be no denying what decade or even city
you were in and this is conveyed through the urban setting and the then
contemporary fashion styles.
Music plays a pivotal role and at times offer light relief
to the drama. A musical motif of bubbles bursting in tuneful rhythm runs
throughout the film and evokes images of the laundrette. This adds a comedic
effect, but at times can be distracting when then drama takes a serious tone
and the bubbles can be heard in the background.
Racial segregation is apparent throughout the film and
explicitly stated within the dialogue. The Asian community constantly speak in
almost tribal tones, with references to 'us' and 'them'. The street punks
however are far less discreet and it is their direct approach that is the
catalyst for the violent ending. Omar's cousin - Salim Ali (played by Derrick
Branche), takes matters into his own hands and runs over one of the punks while
in his car. The punk breaks his foot and he and his friends take revenge
several days later by vandalising Salim's car. This starts a bloody fight,
where Johnny shows his allegiance by helping Salim.
What makes My Beautiful Laundrette such an intriguing film
as that many of the issues presented are very much at the forefront of life in
Great Britain in 2013. The somewhat ambiguous and unsatisfying ending only goes
to emphasise this, as the film itself could not find a conclusion to the
problems that lie within.
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