‘Laundrette’: Cultures in Spin Cycle

“In this damn country which we love and hate, you can get anything you want.” So says Nasser the unscrupulous Pakistani-English businessman in Stephen Frears’ splendid 1985 film “My Beautiful Laundrette.”

For Nasser and his nephew, Omar, England elicits all kinds of mixed emotions. As racial minorities, they’ve felt the sting of Thatcher-era racism. Indeed, in “Laundrette” the threat of violence from fascist youth seems to lurk around every street corner. Yet for the two entrepreneurs, England also offers the type of business opportunities which simply don’t exist back in Pakistan.

In Frears’ London, capitalism isn’t just a way for industrious immigrants to make money; it’s a way for them to turn the tables on their oppressors. When Nasser (Saeed Jaffrey) hands Omar (Gordon Warnecke) the reins to one of his failed Laundromats, you root for the enthusiastic young man in his quest to resurrect the business. But you also shudder a little when he uses his power to callously demean Johnny (Daniel Day Lewis), a childhood friend and reformed fascist he hires to do grunt work.

“Laundrette” is a remarkably evenhanded look at a Pakistani clan trapped between two conflicting cultures. The film’s atypical ethnic backdrop adds an inescapable sense of intrigue and richness. It’s fascinating to see how traditional Pakistani customs and expectations are juxtaposed with Western ideals and attitudes.

But ultimately “Laundrette” leaves you with characters that are neither Pakistani nor English but simply human. Omar’s idealistic father could be any disillusioned socialist railing against racism and the capitalist system. Spiritually defeated, the former journalist spends his days idly in bed. While “Papa” has moral integrity, it is his brother Nasser who is infused with the force of life. “I’m not a professional Pakistani. I’m a professional businessman,” says the spirited and ambitious Nasser.

“Laundrette” is also noteworthy for its unflinching depiction of a gay, interracial relationship. Frears and screenwriter Hanif Kureishi exhibit uncommon understanding as they expand Omar and Johnny’s work relationship into a romantic one.

“My Beautiful Laundrette” (1985), directed by Stephen Frears. 94 minutes. Rated R.