One of the quintessential entries in modern queer cinema, My Beautiful Laundrette — with Daniel Day Lewis playing gay to boot! — gets a juicy new Criterion Collection release this week, heading up a lean but solid line-up.
Now for the details…
($35.99 Blu-ray, $26.99 DVD; Criterion Collection)
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
British director Stephen Frears is a true cinematic chameleon – his works include con artist classic The Grifters, The Queen with Helen Mirren, and 2013’s Philomena — who is also behind two of the ’80s best LGBT films. This 1985 dramedy, based on an Oscar-nominated screenplay by Hanif Kureishi, sees a young Pakistani-British Londoner, Omar, fall for a former, punky schoolmate played by Daniel Day-Lewis while they attempt to turn a decrepit laundromat into a sudsy success. Besides the sexy sight of a peroxide blonde Day-Lewis getting busy with co-star Gordon Warnecke, this one touches on some serious social issues and the immigrant experience. Hopefully Criterion will eventually deliver us Frears’ other LGBT standout, 1987’s Joe Orton biopic, Prick Up Your Ears (starring Gary Oldman and Alfred Molina). Extras include a new conversation with director Frears and interviews with the writer and producers.
($39.99 Blu-ray, $29.99 DVD; Paramount)
This hysterical, genius mockumentary from Flight of the Conchords creators Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement follows a household of vampires living in modern day New Zealand. Clever, at times bloody, with some nifty special effects, this really does pump some new, wickedly funny blood — especially when the all-male household becomes enamored with a local human guy, into the genre. Extras include deleted scenes, making-of footage, interviews, and the half-hour short film that inspired the feature.
($29.99 Blu-ray, $17.99 DVD; Radioactive Cactus)
In this 2014 rom-com from prolific gay indie director Jeff London, a single gay man’s impending 50th birthday sets off a bout of midlife crisis. Fortunately, fate also has a 35-year-old romantic twist for him in store. Inspired by the real-life relationship story of London and his boyfriend/co-writer James Steven Handshoe, this is sweet stuff indeed, and a reminder that sometimes life doesn’t kick into gear until after 49! Blu-ray extras include bloopers, extended takes and a commentary.
ALSO OUT:
The Black Stallion (Criterion)
Here Is Your Life (Criterion)
Glücklich
It might be a generational thing but I didn’t really enjoy “Laundrette”.
However, Daniel Day-Lewis is fine as hell, especially in “Gangs of New York” (shaved head cragginess) and “There Will Be Blood” (grizzled steampunk-cowboy hotness). My first BF was and remains a short, blond, bald version of Daniel…still a tasty little dish best served naked.
Jonathonz
I remember when My Beautiful Launderette was basically the only gay movie around. There may have been others but we didn’t know about them.
Danny Ray
“The Best Day Ever” seems to be an interesting film that I need to watch!!!
Tobi
@Jonathonz: It was definitely slim pickings but there were a few knocking about at around the same time, off the top of my head… Making Love … Torch Song Trilogy … Parting Glances … 🙂
Ronnie Faulds
It’s one of my favourite British films of all hugely funny and poignant DDL was fabulous even back then – a must see movie ð???
David Quirk
one of my faves
pjm1
@Glücklich: interestingly, i saw launderette when
it first was out and i really enjoyed it. Then saw it about a year ago with my husband (who
had not seen it). For me, the movie (2nd time) seemed dated and did not stand the test
of time and my spouse thought it underwhelming — though the young Day Lewis’s
talent was obvious. Not sure why my reaction was so different the second time around.
Glücklich
@pjm1:
See, I watched it probably in 2002/3 with the Day-Lewis look-alike ex. He gushed about it because it was “The First Gay Movie”, etc. I was expecting…like a movie-movie and it looked to me more like a TV movie. I disliked both the main characters and honestly couldn’t see what the fuss was, aside from it being “The First Gay Movie”. Mind you, the ex is fifteen years older than I am and of course I thought he was very worldly and experienced and everything he said was the gospel, but this was a miss.
Different strokes I guess.
jar
I just rewatched Laundrette over the weekend. It’s a quirky film, but what remains compelling is the openness with which the affection between the leads is presented. There is no coyness or signaling to the audience. Their love is played authentically. That’s extremely rare in a gay film, even to this day.
Other 80’s gay films not already mentioned include Almodovar’s early works (esp. Law of Desire with his former muse, Carmen Maura, and a beautiful Antonio Banderas), Paul Verhoeven’s The Fourth Man, Van Sant’s Mala Noche, the somewhat treacly Early Frost and Maurice, and the at the time offensive Cruising and Partners. You have to remember, at that time it was a big deal simply to see a gay film that didn’t trade in stereotypes.
broadshoulder
Life in Thatchers ~Britain was actuality like that.No wonder she wasn’t mourned. But the sex scene is fantastic. I especially liked gordon Warnecke..
mroffbeat
“Best day ever” …. That is some fine music, from the cheese store
charmin88
This is random, but when is Netflix going to update their Gay Section. I haven’t seen a new movie in that category in months. What’s going on? I’m sure there are plenty of gay movies they could easily add on.
Clark35
My beautiful launderette is an excellent movie.