My Beautiful Laundrette is a classic
kitchen sink 1980s slice-of-life drama from Stephen Frears (Philomena), though the film’s lasting
success owes a great deal to the breakout performance given by a young Daniel
Day-Lewis. Having made A Room with a View
(1985) the same year, critics raved at the actor’s range, though it is clearly
his performance in this film which leaves the most lasting impression. It is a
bold performance in a movie that is about the acting and the characters far
more than the plot, which often meanders without clear direction.
Dealing heavily
with issues of class and racial division in Margaret Thatcher’s mid-1980s London Nasser flaunts his wealth and
success, which he obtained with somewhat questionable morality that soon begins
to rub off on Omar. Over the course of the film, we see the corruption caused
by the opportunity for wealth offered in Thatcher’s England
While Omar
begins with the humble attitude of his father, soon the arrogance and racial
bitterness of his uncle leaves an impression on him. This is no clearer than in
the way that he treats a childhood friend named Johnny (Day-Lewis), who has taken
to hanging around a group of skinheads when the two reconnect. Johnny and Omar
clearly have a deeper connection with each other that surpasses any differences
in their backgrounds and upbringing, but the success begins to change the way
that Omar treats his old friend. Even with their romantic involvement, Omar
holds some resentment towards the societal expectations about their
relationship. Oddly enough, little of this has anything to do with their
homosexuality, but instead addresses their separation in class and the racial
bias against a Pakistani living in London
Thatcher’s
economy provides unique opportunities for the immigrants in My Beautiful Laundrette, but this small
amount of success and power quickly goes to Omar’s head. He goes from treating
Johnny as an old friend and an equal to abusing him like a lowly worker. Whether
it is the conflict that Johnny must face when forced to choose between his
immigrant-hating friends and his childhood lover or simply Day-Lewis’ ability
to captivate, I have always felt that this might have been a stronger film with
Johnny as the protagonist rather than Omar.
This Blu-ray
release of My Beautiful Laundrette is director-approved with a newly restored
2K digital transfer which was supervised by director of photography Oliver
Stapleton, with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack. There are also a few new
special features, including a conversation between Frears and producer Colin
MacCabe about the film, as well as interviews with writer Hanif Kureishi, DP
Oliver Stapleton, and producers Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe. Other extras
include a trailer and a foldout insert with an essay from critic Graham Fuller.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 8/10
Historical
Significance: 8.5/10
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