Everybody Loves Those Kinky Boots? (Boots, Boots, Kinky Boots) (Kinky Boots (DVD))

Member Name: samueltyler

Product:	Kinky Boots (DVD)
Date:	14/02/07 (148 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good fun, strong acting

Disadvantages: Too conventional, supporting cast generic

I could not help noticing on watching ‘Kinky Boots’ that a lot of the new crop of British and Irish actors have played drag queens, or at the very least metrosexual men. I do not know if it is reflects on me, but they are amongst the actors that I look forward to seeing in films most! The likes of Cillian Murphy (Breakfast on Pluto), Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale and Jonathon Reyes Meyers (all Velvet Goldmine) are amongst the best actors around and have all glammed up. Add now to the list another of my favourite current actors as Chiwetel Ejiofor dons a pair of ‘two foot tubular sex’ red boots as Lola!

‘Kinky Boots’ is based on a real life story of a shoe factory in Northampton diversifying to produce women’s shoes for Drag Queens. Charlie Price’s dad has just died and left him with a shoe factory that is going bust. After a chance meeting in London Charlie discovers a world of glamorous ‘women’ that have a bad time finding quality shoes. Charlie convinces Lola, a lead singer in a Drag Queen cabaret act, to return to Northampton with him to help him create a range of footwear that will wow the shoe wholesalers in Milan. Will the working class people in the factory be able to work with the eccentric Lola, and will Charlie relationship with his fiancée survive the financial struggle that running a factory will create?

The element of ‘Kinky Boots’ which I enjoyed the most was the fairytale way in which the story unfolded. The first half in particular is different enough to other British comedy of opposites, in that it has a slightly surreal edge, to make it interesting viewing. The fact that the film is based on a true story means that it does return to conventional methods for its final act, but it separates it enough from the likes of ‘Up and Under’. ‘Kinky Boots’ does find itself in the long shadow of ‘The Full Monty’ and is not quite able to differentiate itself. Both are about working class folk struggling to make a living in any way that they can. However, this film is still fun enough to make it a good watch on TV, or as a cheap rental.

The successes of the film are due in a large part to the character and acting of Lola by Ejiofor. This is a 6ft + black man who is able to create a vulnerable character that is bombastic in costume, but incredibly unsure out of it. Lola’s journey parallels well with Charlie’s as he tries to take a step out of his father’s legacy and bring the factory into the new century. Both Charlie and Lola discover new things about themselves by helping the other. Ejiofor is excellent as usual and proves that he is a very diverse actor who is not scared to play any role. Joel Edgerton also does a good job as he is very convincing as an Englishman even though he is Australian.

The rest of the characters do not fair as well as these two as many of them revert to stereotypes that we have seen in countless recent British films. Even the central character of Charlie is somewhat of a wimp and I found it difficult to see how he motivated people or attracted the women in the film. If being a wet lettuce was enough to attract ladies I would wave a leaf of iceberg in the air for attention. The rest of the ensemble are too one dimensional to make the film anything other than a feel good family comedy. Nick Frost as Don does stand out, but that is probably because I know him from the excellent ‘Spaced’ and ‘Shaun of the Dead’.

‘Kinky Boots’ is a film that seems to want to tackle the conventions of the British film mould, but ends up being like all the others. The idea behind the film has plenty of scope for rich comedy, but ends up relying on the routine stuff that has been popular for ten years now. The direction by Julian Jarrold is in someway to blame as he abandons the whimsical fairytale style that made the first half hour so appealing. The rest of the film is directed in a competent but none exciting way.

A mention of the costumes is needed as well due to the nature of the film. Ejiofor gets to wear an assortment of women’s fashions and they were very flamboyant. However, even though I am not an expert in fashion (for Drag Queens of not), I thought that the boots they made were hideous and would never sell! I felt that the costumes, like the entire production, may have been hampered by a lower budget.

Overall, ‘Kinky Boots’ is a harmless and fun British comedy that is unlikely to change anyone’s view that we make very capable, but uninspiring movies. The central premise is a good one with the acting by the main players very good. However, like the direction, the story descends from being unique and interesting, to being just like every other British comedy of the past ten years. If Jarrold had held his nerve and taken the film in a more original direction this could have been better. Instead we have an average film that was pleasant to watch, but that will not ignite the British film industry.


Director: Julian Jarrold
Year: 2005
Starring: Joel Edgerton and Chiwetel Ejiofor
Price: Amazon uk £4.97
Play.com £7.99
CD Wow £6.99


Extras

The extras are few, but quality is good. The commentary brings together the principle players; there are also some deleted scenes. The most interesting extra is the featurette on the real events on which the film is based.

Good enough extras but no Avenger’s ‘Kinky Boots’ song!

Summary: Good fun, but nothing that will change your world!