My Beautiful Laundrette

Synopsis:

In a seedy corner of London, Omar, a young Pakistani, is given a run-down laundromat by his uncle, who hopes to turn it into a successful business. Soon after, Omar is attacked by a group of racist punks, but defuses the situation when he realizes their leader is his former lover, Johnny. The men resume their relationship and rehabilitate the laundromat together, but various social forces threaten to compromise their success.

Quick Thoughts:

When “My Beautiful Laundrette” originally aired on Channel Four in Britain, it garnered enough acclaim that lead to a theatrical release! But what makes this queer film so incredible? Is it the witty and brilliant script by Hanif Kureishi that thrusts a closeted homosexual romance between a Pakistani immigrant and a neo-nazi white punk amid the larger picture of Thatcher’s Britain of the 80’s where immigrants were both thriving while being repressed? Or perhaps it’s the incredible acting by a cast who’s names were relatively unknown at the time but are major stars today? Or finally is it because of the raw – yet honest, and sometime a tad surreal, directing style of Stephen Frears that launched his name into international success? Frankly it’s all of that – and more! In short, “My Beautiful Laundrette” if a gem of a queer film from an era where queer romances generally did not end happily. If you haven’t seen this beautiful film, you simply MUST add it to your watch list!