My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Hanif Kureishi (written by)

Release Date:

April 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

An ambitious Asian Briton and his white lover strive for success and hope, when they open up a glamorous laundromat.

Plot Keywords:

Sexuality | Boyfriend Boyfriend Relationship | Politics | Bigotry | Violence

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Saeed Jaffrey	...	Nasser
Roshan Seth	...	Papa
Daniel Day-Lewis	...	Johnny (as Daniel Day Lewis)
Gordon Warnecke	...	Omar
Derrick Branche	...	Salim
Rita Wolf	...	Tania
Souad Faress	...	Cherry
Richard Graham	...	Genghis
Shirley Anne Field	...	Rachel
Winston Graham	...	Jamaican One
Charu Bala Chokshi	...	Bilquis (as Charu Bala Choksi)
Dudley Thomas	...	Jamaican Two
Garry Cooper	...	Squatter
Neil Cunningham	...	Englishman
Persis Maravala	...	Nasser's Elder Daughter

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:18 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

245 Queenstown Road, Battersea, London, England, UK

Company:

Channel Four Films

Quotes:

Papa: You must be getting married. Why else would you be dressed like an undertaker on holiday?
Omar: Going to Uncle's house, Papa. He's given me a car.
Papa: What? The brakes must be faulty. Tell me one thing because there's something I don't understand, though it must be my fault. How is it that scrubbing cars can make a son of mine look so ecstatic?
Omar: It gets me out of the house.
Papa: 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.
[Omar shakes his head at his father]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in Schau mir in die Augen, Kleiner (2007)

Quirky Comedy-Drama Is Excellent

"My Beautiful Laundrette" manages to do the difficult task of presenting important social issues without sacrificing entertainment value. It is also one of the few modern films that embraces realism without ever looking amateurish. The movie is about two friends (the son of a Pakistani couple and a white punk) who try to turn a rundown Laundromat into a financially successful business. Naturally, their ethnic backgrounds create a lot problems for both young men. Racial tension is one of the film's main themes, but director Frears never allows this aspect of the story spoil the fun. The movie deals with serious issues, but events are presented in a serious-humorous manner. The film is indeed quite funny, even though it is obvious that Frears is trying to make a serious social commentary. Daniel Day-Lewis is excellent in one of his first starring roles, but the film belongs to Gordon Warneke, who gives a moving, gentle performance. It is a modest production, but it is has a big heart. A true 'sleeper' and a triumph for Frears and company.