For more movie summaries, see Kam's Kapsules.
 THIS COULD BE THE START OF SOMETHING BIG: Shoe factory heir Charlie (Joel Edgerton, right) discusses an idea which may save the factory from bankruptcy, with male transvestite Lola (Chiwetel Eljofor, left) and shoe designer Lauren (Sarah-Jane Potts, center). |
Whether it's the topless ladies of Calendar Girls, the bottomless boys of The Full Monty, or the nude showgirls of Mrs. Henderson Presents, the British seem to have a knack for taking a story with a naughty theme and turning it into an enjoyable feature film. Kinky Boots is a heartwarming tale about the unlikely friendship forged between a black drag queen and the heir to a shoe factory.
Joel Edgerton stars as Charlie Price, who is reluctant to take over the family's business in the wake of his father's unexpected passing, because he has just moved to London and he'd prefer not to return to Northampton. Initially, he considers his fiancée's (Jemima Looper) suggestion that they sell the factory even though it has been in the family for generations.
However, when he examines the company's books, he learns that the company is on the verge of failing. Charlie refuses to abandon the company's loyal, long-time employees. Finding an overabundance of stodgy wing-tip shoes gathering dust in a stockroom, he diagnoses the shoe factory's problem as a failure to change with the times.
In order to develop a trendier line of footwear, he has to hire a designer and decide what segment of the market he wants to target. The answer to both questions arrives the night he comes to the assistance of Lola, a male transvestite, who is being harassed by a gang of homophobic hoodlums.
Lola is the headliner at a Soho cabaret which is frequented by male transvestites. It turns out that they cannot find glamorous high heels that can support a man's weight. Fortuitously, this unmet demand suggests the solution to Charlie's problems at the shoe factory.
Though subplots abound in this well-crafted comedy, the real reason this movie is highly recommended is because of the radiant performance of Chiwetel Ejiofor as Lola. He exhibits an impressive emotional range, and is able to wear women's clothes with perfect aplomb. In addition he capably handles all of his own singing.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity and mature themes. Running time: 107 minutes. Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
For more movie summaries, see Kam's Kapsules.