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Gordon Warnecke, Daniel Day-Lewis, Saeed Jaffrey

"My Beautiful Laundrette" takes place in the Asian community of London during the years that Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister. Omar takes over operating his Uncle Nasser's laundrette. He is helped...( read more  read more... ) by his friend Johnny who is an outsider, white but not entirely accepted by either the white or Asian Londoners.

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77% liked it

5,482 ratings

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18 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Stephen Frears

Release Date: September 7, 1985

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DVD Release Date: June 3, 2003

Stats: 355 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (355)

  • ebs90
    June 17, 2009
    ebs90
    Stephen Frears's 1985 film is a testament for a group of confused, irreverent middle to lower class youths of the Thatcher years in London. The characters of My Beautiful Laundrette are young, they have nothing to do, they want to do something... but they don't know when, or what...( read more) to do. Above all, they want out of the niche. They want money.

    The epicenter is Omar, the son of Pakistani emigrees. He's constantly harassed by a group of skinheads, who can't understand why Johnny -who is white- hangs out with him more than he does with them. So not only are Johnny and Omar adrift and lacking a definite social circle, they are also romantically involved, which doesn't incite much approval either. They are pretty much alone in their quest for stability and success. This is what the film is about. A slice of their daily lives, and how Omar wants to start working at his Uncle's laundrette and turn it into the fanciest laundrette in the area. And make money. Johnny helps him. They overcome some of the obstacles, the frowning, and the pressure to take a more 'normal' path and split up, but when the film ends it is obvious the trouble is not over and never will be.

    I have never understood MBL as a generalization of the Thatcher years, especially considering how specific the conditions of the characters are. Of course, it must be parting from a generally uniform view of the social climate, but I would hate to suggest it reflects an entire society. However, that doesn't make the story any less important. A general knowledge of the average, slightly fundamentalist Western man is enough to understand how realistic the attitudes of harassment towards Omar and Johnny are. Therefore, although so specific, the film addresses real issues. So if you're not in for some critical thinking it's better you don't watch it. Omar and Johnny's relationship is both same gender and interracial, and it's interesting to see ourselves react before this scenario. Every film that takes on gay or racial issues is bound to be provocative. Although I personally didn't learn anything with MBL, mainly because I have no problem at all with anything, I admire how naturally the film explores controversial themes. I guess what truly struck me is that the "questioning" doesn't feel forced.

    It's also an interesting watch for any enthusiasts of Daniel Day-Lewis like myself. He had not worked much before (was this his first film?) but the magnetic screen presence is there as much as ever.

    MBL is an easy-going film with much more depth than it appears to have. You just flow with it and get to know Omar and Johnny. You yell at them for being so stupid sometimes, and you laugh with them on other occasions for being so clever. It is not the best film I've ever seen, but one of the most involving... yes.
  • SarahG1988
    January 17, 2009
    SarahG1988
    Director:Stephen Frears
    Released: 1986
    Stars : Daniel Day Lewis, Saeed Jaffrey, Roshan Seth
    Genre: Drama
    Country: UK

    An ambitious British Asian and his white lover strive for success and hope, when they open up a glamorous laundrette<...( read more)/b>

    My Beautiful Laundrette was one of those films which I've been meaning to see for a long long time. Not just because it's a classic British film but because it has only of my favourite actors (Daniel Day Lewis') first roles. This film is not only about the romance between a British Asian and a British guy but about Thatcher's 1980's Britain. It's defiantly one of my favourite films of the 1980's.

    My Beautiful Laundrette, despite ageing a little, still maintains aspects of 80's culture that can be still prevalent in today's society. With aspects of British Muslim culture constantly questioned in today's society this is even more of an important film. Racism in relation to British Muslims has gone on recently in the UK and a strong part of our Media. Perhaps some aspects of the film is not relevant, for instance, the constant use of ?paki? wouldn?t be used in recent period films but only in the films of the 1980?s. Perhaps that?s an aspect that has aged the film a little but this film will always remain a strong depiction of life in Thatcher?s Britain for British Asians, and indeed gay men.

    My Beautiful Laundrette is one of Daniel Day Lewis?s first acting roles; previously he?d played supporting roles. Day Lewis is a strong part of this film and delivers a strong performance, one which you can see what Stephen Frears say in him. Day-Lewis plays a great role as Johnny, school friend of Omar and certainly makes you empathise with him as a viewer. The acting in this film is a strong part of the construction of it. Like Day Lewis, Gordon Warnecke, in his first acting role delivers a great performance with such vulnerability and innocence. Right from the very first time we see the two characters meet, you can see the attraction and chemistry between the two characters; a relationship which is portrayed brilliantly by Frears. Also worth mentioning Saeed Jafferey as Omar?s uncle, who seems to crop in many British TV Shows and films.

    The film is set in Thatcher?s Britain in 1985 and is mentioned by a few of the characters. The film contains examples of Individualism that was the main part of the 1980s, and many aspects of liberalism of the characters. Omar?s Uncle and members of their family seem to aspot characteristics of many of their white counterparts. For instance; owning many businesses, houses (evident in the scene where Johnny kicks out a tenant) and striving to succeed to their level. Once quote which is related to this is said by Omar?s uncle relating to being recognised as a Businessmen and not an Asian businessman. This doesn?t seem to be shared by Omar?s father; who constantly tries to get him to college;

    Don't get too involved with that crook. You've got to study. We are under siege by the white man. For us education is power

    And I think this is basically an underrated part of the film. The relationship between Omar and Johnny is not only the core of the film, but the backdrop that it is set in as well.

    Overall, My Beautiful Laundrette has aged a little (possibly keeping it from a perfect film) but still is an important look into 198?s Thatcher Britain. An important look into the reactions towards British Asian?s entering jobs (previously occupied by white British males), racism and reactions towards homosexuality. Also worth watching to see one of Daniel Day Lewis?s first roles.

    Highly recommend

    8/10
  • RCCLBC
    August 21, 2008
    RCCLBC
    Just re-watched this having seen it years ago, before I knew who Daniel Day-Lewis was.

    I remeber the first time I saw this I totally bought into his character as tough, street savy "punk" they intended him to be. This time around he just seemed like some homeless gay hustler ...( read more)with a bad dye job.

    It's a fun little social commentary for the period, a little too "soap-operaish" at times to be as powerful as it might have been.

    All in all an enjoyable film, but not nearly as good as I remembered.
  • rebvodka042099
    July 27, 2008
    rebvodka042099
    What can anyone say about this film? So many things that others will never know about it. Daniel Day Lewis is...well, take a wild guess...
  • johnd62
    December 8, 2007
    johnd62
    Quite simply there's two major reasons to see this film. It's Stephen Frears best film and a young Daniel Day-Lewis showing how great an actor he's been since the beginning of his career. The film tackles issues of race, sexuality and other issues in such a real and honest way. W...( read more)onderful film.
  • cboothe977
    October 27, 2009
    cboothe977
    Loved It...so passionate.
  • JSS62
    July 14, 2009
    JSS62
    Don't let the sexual aspects throw you off... How a society becomes inclusive
  • exureimundo
    June 24, 2009
    exureimundo
    Another one of those movies that feels like it has every thing in it; or at least some thing for every one; or no, maybe the other way around again. All the same, it impressed me on many complex levels.
  • hypathio7
    April 11, 2009
    hypathio7
    nominated for best picture by NBR
  • SDTERP
    April 5, 2009
    SDTERP
    On of my first, favorite Queer love stories.

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