Kinky Boots

This 2005 British Gem has probably been overshadowed by the Broadway hit musical that was inspired by it, brought to the stage by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein, but the film itself is a heartwarming and funny film in the mold of The Full Monty or Calendar Girls and is worth checking out on it's own merits.

Charlie Price (played by Joel Edgerton) has just inherited his father's failing shoe business that has been a family legacy for several generations. Desperate to keep the factory running, Charlie finds some unique inspiration on a marketing trip to London where he meets drag queen Lola (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor). He notices Lola's broken stiletto heel and realizes there may be a market for women's shoes made specifically for men. With some help from co-worker Lauren (played by Sarah-Jane Potts), Charlie develops a prototype boot, which isn't quite successful when Lola sees it. Lola then decides to team up with Charlie to develop the kind of footwear she has in mind. When it's revealed to the factory workers what the product change will be, there is a bit of surprise among them, especially the close-minded Don (played by Nick Frost). With the deadline of a footwear show in Milan, where they will be debuting their new product line, looming it's going to take everyone in the factory to come together to make it in time and hopefully save the company in the process.

The film was directed by Julian Jarrold from a script by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. They manage to infuse the project with a lot of good humor and warmth into the film without it becoming outright cheesy. The plotline of the film is reasonably predictable, but within that well-worn framework, they manage to create some genuinely endearing characters that I couldn't help but love, even if I knew exactly where this movie was going. Julian Jarrold directs the film nicely, giving the film a nice pace. The film also brought about it's message of acceptance nicely without being overly preachy, which is always nice when a movie can do that.

The acting is really where this film shines. This film is Chiwetel Ejiofor's show front and back and is magnetic in the role of Lola, filling the character with so much love and life but also showing the hidden pains underneath as well as Lola and Charlie bond throughout the movie. Joel Edgerton also does well as Charlie, showing the immense weight and burden Charlie has trying to keep his family business afloat. He doesn't want to see anyone lose their jobs as he has known many of them for much of his life. There is a scene early in the film where he has to let some employees go and you can tell each one is just agonizing for him. Sarah Jane-Potts is quite charming as Charlie's ally in the factory and provides some much needed support as well as the initial inspiration to change the product rather than just give up. 

Overall, Kinky Boots is a fun bit of fluff of a movie. Yes, it's a bit predictable, but it still has a lot of warmth and humor that makes it hard for me to resist. It's cinematic comfort food, a movie you can put on knowing it's going to put a smile on your face. And sometimes that's just what I need in a movie and this one fills that bill nicely. It's well directed and filled with wonderful performances, especially Chiwetel Ejiofor as Lola. It's worth seeing just for her.