Movie: My Beautiful Laundrette

[rose71]

Directed by Stephen Frears; screenplay by Hanif Kureishi; starring Gordon Warnecke, Daniel Day-Lewis, Saeed Jaffrey, and Roshan Seth; 1985 (rated R).

When I first read westernredcedar's delightful rec for Prick Up Your Ears, I was worried that my own choice--the British film My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)--might be redundant. But instead, I am declaring this

Comments

[rose71]

Yes, one of my many favorite things about this film is the way that it treats social conflicts through comedy rather than tragedy (though I should warn you that there are some scenes of violence). I'd like to say more, but I'll try not to spoil the plot for you. I hope you'll see the film and enjoy it!

[liseuse]

I've seen about half of this film, and then bullshitted my way through a seminar on Kureishi. I never managed to finish it because it collided with Paradise Lost and I was more scared of my Epic tutor than my Modes tutor. Thank you for reminding me that I need to finish it!

Edit: One of the fun things about watching British films is playing six degrees. There's never six.

[rose71]

Wow, I actually know very little about Kureishi other than this film & the things he wrote about it. You should tell me more about him... and finish the damn film. *grins*

Yes, less than six degrees. From Daniel Day-Lewis to Gary Oldman: DDL plays Helena Bonham-Carter's rejected suitor in Room with a View, and then, you know, she's Bellatrix and Oldman is Sirius. (Except that, in my head, DDL is Sirius instead). Or is there just a movie where Day-Lewis and Oldman go out and get drunk together?

[lyras]

Daniel Day Lewis has been my mental Sirius for years!

And thank you for the rec - I've seen bits of this film so often, but have somehow never got around to watching the entire thing in one go.

[rose71]

Yay! I'm glad to know that someone else is seeing Sirius as DDL! Do you remember what first gave you the idea? (Other than the long black hair and the complete genius?)

Yes, I hope you'll get a chance to watch the whole film. It really fits together wonderfully--all the characters and relationships develop in interesting & subtle ways.

[lyras]

:-) I've just always pictured Sirius as DDL, but the role that really does it for me is ?Gerry McGuire in In the Name of the Father (brilliant film, although uncomfortable watching if you're British, like me).

[rose71]

Oh yes, I agree about Name of the Father--a brilliant film, and good for picturing DDL as Sirius (long black hair, hyperactive intensity... and he's an unfairly accused convict). As an American, I didn't have to feel personally uncomfortable while watching the film. But, obviously, we have our own war prisons right now to feel uncomfortable about... though, so far, no really great movie dramas about them.

[westernredcedar]

First Annual 1980's Queer Film Awareness Day
YAY! *throws confetti for the best new holiday ever*

I love this film too, but I have not seen it in a while, so this will motivate me to get to the rental place and watch it again. And yes, all roads lead to Sirius Black. *nods* :)))

[rose71]

YAY! *throws confetti for the best new holiday ever*
Go us! We started a new holiday which will bring joy to many generations of movie-watchers. *throws more confetti, and pops open some champagne*

Great--go and rent Laundrette, and I'll rent Prick Up Your Ears, which I also saw and loved too long ago.

We can agree to disagree about Sirius casting (Oldman vs. Day-Lewis), but at least we're keeping our minds on the really important issues. :)

[magnetic_pole]

but this larger imaginary background lies behind it, helping all the characters and relationships to seem real and multi-dimensional

Ah, this is exactly why I like it so much--I've never quite articulated it to myself, and I had no idea that was the story behind the screenplay. It's obvious, isn't it? The characters just seemed so much more real than characters I encountered in other movies. I also loved the vibrant diversity of the immigrant families--women and men, parents and children, immigrant "success stories" and embittered exiles.

You know, I don't know these (or other) actors well enough to have used them forming a mental image of Sirius, but the jovial, smiling Gary Oldman never did it for me. Ironic, because I've heard several time (Cedar's rec included) that the actor has done a good job with roles and characterizations that are much closer to what I was imaging. Anyways, you've convinced me I need to re-watch the film. Thanks! M.

[rose71]

The characters just seemed so much more real than characters I encountered in other movies
Yes, and they seem more real each time I re-watch the movie (which is fairly often). I suppose that most really good writers imagine back stories for their characters, but somehow the back story of Laundrette really comes alive in the characters' behavior.

I'm happy, but not surprised, that you like this film--it's all about urban communities! Go forth and re-watch.

Gary Oldman: yes, ironically he is more Sirius-like in Prick Up Your Ears than in the HP movies. I think his Sirius performance is a bit lazy--the idea seems to be, "Look, I'm actually a loving godfather instead of an evil murderer, so now I'll be nice and smiley!" I don't think he has any idea what book-Sirius is actually like--I've seen an interview where he says that he's only read Sorceror's Stone. Day-Lewis, on the other hand, would have read all the books and then lived in a cave for six months to prepare. (He's notorious for getting a bit too much into his roles.)

[magnetic_pole]

I'm happy, but not surprised, that you like this film--it's all about urban communities! Heh. True!

I don't think he has any idea what book-Sirius is actually like--I've seen an interview where he says that he's only read Sorceror's Stone.

I've heard the same thing about the actor who plays Remus Lupin, and frankly, if you're going to invest that much time in the production of the movie and earn that much money, can't you spend a few hours reading the books? *cross* It's either lazy or extraordinarily snobbish, neither of which endears them to me. /judgmental Maggie I will have to give Prick Up Your Ears a try with an eye to Oldman.

Thanks, R! As I said earlier, I do love this this movie. It was fun just reading about it again. M.