My Beautiful Laundrette:
So far my thoughts on this film are partially blurred. I felt that the narrative was very confusing to understand. However through out the film I understood the different perspectives of the family and different people’s point of views. I understood the oppression that came from Thatcherism and was shown well through the couple of boys that were Jonno’s friends. I liked how the film showed the class segregation and how money was always the deciding factor of what happened. I did not really understand a lot of the Pakistani values that were meant to be shown as the uncle were quite business and not culture driven. Omar’s desires are also quite questionable as one minuet he wants to be rich and follow his uncle and one minuet he is rebelling. I also didn’t understand why his father came so late to the opening of the laundrette, how and why he had made some sort of recovery although he was not happy with Omar which would not have followed convention.
Here are some notes I made during the film which could have meaning/symbolism.
Here are some notes I made during the film which could have meaning/symbolism.
Key Scene Analysis
(When Omar meets Johnny for first time in a while)
The establishing shot of the location is shown with the use
of panning down from a dark bridge. It shows a dim red light which could
represent the immediate danger. It also shows that the dark location is
deserted which suggests it is a late time. Reinforcing the potential danger is
emphasised with the tense xylophonic noises that corresponded with the yellow
flash of the construction. This however could also signify that Omar needs to
be alert. The director tracks Omar’s face over to his uncle’s friend to
emphasise his vulnerability as he is very drunk and needs help from his friend.
Shadows then appear on the wall as a signifier to the audience that danger is
ahead, the strobe lighting also makes it tenser. The scene then continues with
the punks intimidating them in the car. It contrasts massively to when Omar
realises his old friend Johnny is by the side. Johnny is highlighted with the
sound and extreme long shot of realisation. This immediately alerts the audience of his
importance as Omar without hesitance walked over to him despite Johnny’s friend’s
behaviour. This represents the lack of fear and willingness to go see Johnny. The
punks realise this and all heads turn, it represents the unconventional
behaviour of communication between a ‘paki’ and ‘punk’. The audience
immediately realise that there mustr be a history between the two. Sound
effects with long and low pitch then plays which creates tension but then is
uplifted with a drift in the sound effect which confirms the happiness of Omar.
Light is also brightened as Omar approaches Johnny, this could signify that
their relationship is in the open and unhidden for the moment, especially as
this is their first meeting in a while and shows that they have forgotten they
have to keep things hidden. However Johnny then realises and begins to put on a
‘tough’ front by using strong body language and avoiding eye contact. The
conversation becomes awkward to the audience point of views as Johnny is quite
blank and Omar is friendly and keen, this again reinforces that there is more
into the relationship and Johnny is trying to hide something. As the punks come
back over shadows begin to appear and the two are not lit as so much, this
represents that Omar and Johnny are in a shadow and they have to hide something.
