After studying My Beautiful Laundrette (Stephen Frears, 1985) and East is East (Damien O’Donnell, 1999) I found that both films question culture and present a sense of isolation within the family home. East is East a comedy drama dealing with a mixed race family who prefer the British customs of their white mother, but are forced oblige to their Pakistani heritage. While My Beautiful Laundrette is a drama about a suggested homosexual relationship between old school friends Omar, a Pakistani of many expectations, and white punk squatter, Johnny, living in 80’s Thatcher Britain.
The idea of isolation is presented in East is East through the actions of the children, during the first scene we see the children participating in a church march, their emotion during the march suggest that they enjoy such festivities, however they have to go behind their fathers back who decides to watch the march. The idea of isolation is suggested, as the children have to hide from their father as he has such expectations of them, which they don’t enjoy.
However despite the Khan family being excluded by their neighbour, Mr Moorhouse, a supporter of one of the right wing politician Enoch Powell, the children are very close. With Earnest and Sajid being best friends, and Earnest who is forever telling Sajid how much he fancies his older sister, Meenah. Stella and Tariq’s secret relationship suggests a sense of isolation, where Stella puts aside her grandfathers problems and falls in love with Tariq, who is following in his fathers steps by getting involved with a white woman despite George being completely against his children being involved with a British person. It is suggested that the children themselves see them as being English and white, when Stella says “I’ll never let the colour of your Dad come between us” suggesting that she as well sees Tariq as white, this could also be a reason why Tariq involves himself un British culture under the name of Tony.
Despite not being acceptable for British society, it seems that the family aren’t accepted within Pakistani culture either, when the Shah family visits, Mrs Shah refers to the children as “half breeds” and a sense of hierarchy is presented throughout the whole scene, depicting the uncomfortable and isolated atmosphere.
Similarly in My Beautiful Laundrette Omar experiences isolation after his mother’s suicide, as their flat is a constant reminded of her death, as they live opposite the train track where it happens. Omar also takes on the role of his mother, this places him in her shoes and he becomes stuck in this position. As a result of this he is isolated in a state of living in the past.
His father gets him a job with his uncle, “at lest you’ll be able to afford a clean shirt, Mrs Thatcher will be happy with me.” Suggesting that the Pakistani’s feel obliged to adhere to the British rules, and believes that he now belongs in England, after acquiring a wealthy, white mistress, Rachel who accepts Nasser’s heritage, this implies that Nasser feels that he has been accepted by all white people.
The main idea of isolation within My Beautiful Laundrette is Omar’s sexuality, as throughout the film a number of innuendos are made to suggest he is homosexual through his relationship with Johnny, “In my experience its always worth waiting for Omar” suggesting that Johnny waited for Omar to come around about their homosexual relationship.
Omar’s father also suggests that there is something different about Omar after suggesting “Fix him up with a nice girl” which could imply that Omar has never bought home a girl “I’m not sure his penis is in full working order” implying Omar’s lack of experience, it is implied that Hussein has his suspicions about Omar and Johnny’s relationship, which is suggested after he says “You know how to rub don’t you” followed by a concerning look.
Omar’s sexuality is also questioned when his cousin comes onto him, despite this being a norm in the time it was set, we find this quite odd. It is suggested that Omar likes the attention from his cousin, despite being involved with Johnny.
Even Tania’s love interest creates a sense of isolation and exclusion, at the beginning of the film she seduces Omar, however towards the end she begins to fall for Johnny, after asking him to run away with her, and facing his rejection due to his love for Omar, it is implied that she commits suicide in the same way that Omar’s mother did.
Both Omar and the Khan children are second generation pakistani’s, this suggests that isolation was a big problem during the 80’s as they suffered the strict rules of their family as well as fitting in with British society.
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