Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots

I'm a Northamptonian and just watched the film in Northampton at the Northampton premiere. I'm slightly Northamptoned out. Excellent British comedy, I enjoyed it a lot more than Calendar Girls. I normally find these kind of films deeply predictable, but this one surprised me. It has a bit of a deep and meaningful message, but never gets lost as to what it is along the way, and keeps the laughs going. Somewhat bizarre depiction of Northampton however - every other shot is either of a weird northern-like back alley or of northern-like houses against countryside... and I don't think you've been able to see fields like those from Northampton railway station for at least 60 years. You don't really get the impression that Northampton is one of the UK's largest towns! Well worth a watch. And points go to whoever spots the Northampton Saints (rugby team) mug.

source: Kinky Boots

A lot can be learned from British comedies. For every gross out American made rip off of Animal House or American Pie, the Brits have countered with endearing stories like Waking Ned Devine and Calendar Girls. The once Island Empire seems to have a knack for making comedies that can both invoke fits of laughter while still finding ways of keeping us intimately interested in the characters and their individual challenges. From Shirley Valentine through The Full Monty and Billy Elliot, Britain has consistently brought to life stories of ordinary people who have overcome obstacles that leave the audience either tapping their shoes or clapping in unison at the conclusion of the performance. Standing next in line in this tradition is Kinky Boots a new film starring a bunch of people you have never heard about doing something you never knew occurred. This time round, we get the story of an Englishman's footwear company that due to recent contract failures and the death of its long time owner, is looking for a niche to help keep the factory afloat. But things don't come easy. They never do in jolly ole England. And at the centre of the attention is one Mr. Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) who is the son of recently passed Harold Price, the owner of Price & Sons shoe company. The factory established in Northampton England is a fixture in the community and has made men's shoes for as long as Charlie can remember. But when Charlie is thrust into running the company he quickly discovers the fragility of the business and must make 15 employees redundant. Hating the task of telling long Price & Son supporters that they no longer have a job weighs heavily on Charlie and takes him across the country trying to unload his stocked product. This journey into unfamiliar territory leads Charlie to a chance encounter with Leon (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a drag queen that makes Priscilla Queen of the Desert look like Mrs. Doubtfire. Charlie feels uncomfortable in Leon's presence but soon recognizes that cross-dressing community does not have a manufacturer of high heeled shoes and boots that can maintain the average body weight of the male performer. With a wing, a mortgaged house and a prayer, Charlie takes a shot at a last ditch effort to create kinky boots for the unseen masses that hang out in droves at local pubs while performing ABBA like songs of pleasure. Kinky Boots is very formulaic. There is the non-understanding fiancé of Charlie that wants him to sell the factory and move away from Northampton. There is the big brute of a factory worker that hates having Leon around and will undoubtedly have some revelation by films end that will change his entire outlook on people. And then there is the love story of two unsuspecting co-workers that were thrust to work together and end up in each others' arms. All of these scenarios have been done before, and even to death, but hats off to director Julian Jerrold (yet another name you will never have heard before) for at least keeping the pace flowing, the characters interesting and the story moving even if the end result is like the ratty blanket we keep in the closet that we just can't throw away. Kinky Boots is not for everyone. Anyone that has found themselves around the work water-cooler when a discussion about Brokeback Mountain breaks out knows that anything outside of heterosexuality still has some people cringing and heading back to the cubicle. But for those of you that are just looking for a fluff film that will give you a good time but be erased from your memory until you see the box again on the DVD store shelves, Kinky Boots is exactly the ticket. www.robertsreviews.com

'Kinky Boots' is a splendid colourful little film with a big heart. Those who have enjoyed heartfelt films like 'Calender Girls' and 'Billy Elliot' will love this one too. It's also one of the many things I love about little British movies. They have a very simple message, a simple story to tell about real people but they tell it with heart and soul without throwing the message 'in your face'. Director Julian Jarrold does not disappoint in that front and, as is the case with many such films, they strongly rely on performances too. Chiwetel Ejiofor remains one of the underrated talents of the generation and he totally carries the film. All the effort he's gone through for the character has certainly paid off. He looks the part and, next to acting, the guy sure can sing too. Joel Edgerton provides a brilliant contrast to Ejiofor's Lola/Simon (as demanded by the character) and, in a subtle way, he also conveys the similarities and pain that both characters share. Sarah-Jane Potts is a charming delight. The rest of the cast that includes talents like Nick Frost and Linda Bassett lend sufficient support with their strong presence and comedy. The delightful camera-work dances to the tune of the wonderful score. The slick shots of the shoes being manufactures is very notable. There are so many laugh-out-loud sequences especially the hilarious 'drag' sequences (which are funny without making a mockery out of drag queens and transvestites). Even though it's based on a short story, the inspiration clearly shows and the writers have created a great fun story. In the end, I felt a little uplifted and it left a smile.

Watching Kinky Boots is an exasperating experience if you are hoping, beyond all hope, that the British Film industry is interested in funding anything other than formulaic, cliché ridden, light, chummy, working class parody pieces. Whilst it works well as a piece there is a good reason for that – it follows, to the letter, the structure of every other formulaic, cliché ridden, light, chummy working class parody piece of the last ten years. There are scenes that make you laugh, but you can sense the desire in the writer/ director to have the scene with the laugh in it at that point in the story, and as such comes across as incredibly contrived None of the characters have the depth or edge which made Billy Elliot a success, and as a consequence any plot or subplot introduced could be immediately guessed to it's conclusion. Frankly, I've been more challenged by the story lines of Balamory. That being said it is a watchable piece – I just wish the film industry here could, once in a while, give us the chance to go to the cinema to be engaged, stimulated and challenged. Or at least give us the choice.

Actually they remain open for business the following was taken directly from their website at 10:30cst on 11-29-2006. Please remember they are a manufacturer of "kinky" products so 18 or over only please. www.divine.co.uk The Kinky Boot Factory now famous for the film " KINKY BOOTS" and also for the BBC TV programme " TROUBLE AT THE TOP " is an English based company from Northamptonshire with over a 115 years of trading history in the footwear industry, we carry over 2,500 pairs of footwear in stock in sizes ladies 3 up to men's size 13,a vast majority of these are Made In England by traditional craftsmen to a high quality from hand picked materials and our clothing ranges are also mainly made in the UK and again we have a vast stock. It was with great pleasure that we have been involved in the making of the film " KINKY BOOTS" as the actual story was based on our movement into the erotic footwear scene also having been featured on many television programs such as, "Trouble At The Top", "Trisha", "Esther", "Men And Motors" and many other programs, we pride our selves in trying to give our customers value for money and customer service, advice and help in all aspects of their purchases.

With the usual rough-edged filming of Brit flicks, this film was good, but not the best of it's genre that i've seen. I think that they could have given us a bit more on the personal journeys of each of the major characters as that's what's at the heart of this film. Much like it's predecessor Calendar Girls, we see Brits challenged to break out of their stereotypes/embracing those who don't quite fit in. As a story it's great fun. It's got a beginning middle and a end, along with conflict and resolution. There's song and dance a plenty, thanks to the drag queens too. It's also naturally very funny in places. The laughs are not forced which is a refreshing change from the forced laughs of Hollywood. I would certainly recommend it, but only for a single viewing.

A revelation. I checked in to the cinema on my way to work to wind down from the madness there and boy did i have fun! Yes the story is straight-forward and predictable, and while i won't say i am a connoisseur of drag queens, i think Chewy's performance was excellent and i can just hear the song "what Lola wants, Lola gets" on my head as i write this! The twist at the end you could see coming from a mile off but hey, thats entertainment! I might even check the film out with the gang this Friday night again! I say this, if you want to have a good time at the cinema and forget all your worries for 90 minutes then go see Kinky Boots!

Kinky Boots is, as has been pointed out in previous comments, a film in the same vein as Calendar Girls and The Full Monty: a feel-good, triumph-against-the-odds Britflick. And there's nothing wrong with that. The plot is simple: Charlie (Joel Edgerton) takes over the family's shoe factory after his father dies. Faced with closure, he makes staff redundant and seems on a losing wicket until a trip to London and a meeting with a transvestite/drag queen called Lola changes everything... You can see what's going to happen a mile off. But such is the wonderful atmosphere engendered throughout, that doesn't matter. Quite frankly, this is Chiwetel Ejiofor's film. Brassy, loud and funny as Lola, yet moving and sensitive as Simon, his performance is never less than utterly convincing. You get behind the glitter to see the scarred and unhappy man behind the persona, and you feel for him. Plus he gets extra points for the cabaret scenes and for walking in those stilettos! The rest of the cast are uniformly good. Joel Edgerton conveys Charlie's frustration at being in a job he doesn't want to do in a place he doesn't want to be very well. Nick Frost is good as the homophobic co-worker and Linda Bassett gives a small part as one of the factory girls a strong performance. One problem is that because Lola's so well-drawn the rest of the characters seem done in broad strokes with very little depth e.g. Charlie's girlfriend (Jemima Rooper, good in a thankless role) is given the stereotypical route of dissatisfaction then affair. The script shines with the same humour and goodness that made Calendar Girls such a good film (indeed, they share a writer in Tim Firth). Peppered with excellent one-liners and thoughtful speeches, it's a joy and if it strays into cliché occasionally, that can be forgiven. All in all, a decent film. Go with the frame of mind to enjoy yourself and you won't go far wrong.