Inspired by a true story,
Kinky Boots is the latest British import to hit American shores - ableit with much less buzz than many of the previous titles. Made up of a cast full of relatively unknown actors, the biggest thing the film has going for it are the credentials of the producers - who came together to create 2003's minor hit
Calendar Girls. The plot is also a hard sell, and because of this many mainstream audiences will turn away from this project. This is a shame, for
Kinky Boots is a delightful surprise. Taking a page from
The Full Monty, it inventively crafts a story that is both hilarious and heartfelt - making it one of the most enjoyable movie experiences so far this year.
Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) is the film's protagonist, the son of a prestigious shoe maker who owns a prosperous factory in Northampton. He is engaged to the beautiful Nicola (Jemima Rooper) and seems to have his life on the right track. But everything changes when Charlie's father unexpectedly dies, leaving him the entire factory to control. When he learns of the company's massive amount of debt, he is forced to fire many loyal workers - including fiesty and independent Lauren (Sarah-Jane Potts). However, one single encounter with a red stilleto will change his life forever.
Through a series of events Charlie meets "Lola" (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a drag queen who works in a successful cabaret located in London. After Lola complains about how she is forced to wear women's shoes, Charlie gets an idea. What if there was a market for women's boots made especially for men? Enlisting the help of Lauren and many other of co-workers, Charlie and Lola hatch a plan that will hopefully save the factory - and teach both of them about who they really are inside.
Kinky Boots is stylishly directed by Julian Jerrod, who injects the film with lots of energy and spunk. The cabaret sequences are appropriately rousing and well-choreographed, and the finale in Milan is especially well-done, one of the year's most memorable sequences. The script by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth is a riot - with some hilarious one-liners that will keep you laughing throughout. Another reason that the script succeeds is because it pays careful attention to each one of the characters. Each one is fully developed and this allows the audience to actually feel something for them. While the script exhibits shades of films that are similar (most namely
The Full Monty) it still brings many new ideas to the table as well.
In terms of performances, most are great. Joel Edgerton manages to pull off a strong performace as Charlie - a sheepish individual trying to figure out what he really wants in his life. Edgerton's role is primarily dramatic, but he is able to handle the more comedic moments as well. He also has great chemistry with the adorable Sarah Jane-Potts, his love interest in the film. Their relationship is very cute and believable. Jemima Rooper is underused as Charlie's stereotypically shallow fiancee, and doesn't really make much of an impression when she is on screen. This also goes for Nick Frost, who portrays a homophobic employee who changes his mind about Lola by the end of the film. His character transition seemed fairly sudden, and the actor himself is bland as ever.
The real-scene stealer here though, and one of the reasons that the film is such a fun time, is Chiwetel Ejiofor as Lola. This is a person who is not afraid of who they really are, but still display vulnerability when they don't feel like themselves. Lola experiences this when she is not in drag. As "Simon," Lola feels foreign and hated, while as herself she is outgoing and lovable. Chiwetel Ejiofor is able to pull off both of these personas and creates one lovable character. He disappears behind this role and you truly forget that you are watching a performer do his job. He gives the film the humor and heart that makes it soar.
Overall,
Kinky Boots is a treat. It comes out of nowhere and surprises you with its non-stop laughs and large amount of heart. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a true star on the rise. Highly recommended!
8/10 (B+)
