Kinky Boots

Julian Jarrold's Kinky Boots is another one of those British dramedies—like The Full Monty and Billy Elliott—that combine a concern for working-class stiffs threatened by unemployment with an uplifting tale in which some bloke(s) wins acceptance and ultimately triumphs (and, in this case, you even get cross-dressing, too). The setup—based, as usual, on a true story—revolves around a failing family shoe factory inherited by Charlie (Joel Edgerton), a young klutz who feels obligated to save the business. A chance meeting with Simon (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a transvestite singer whose stage name is Lola, convinces Charlie that there's a niche market for flamboyant women's boots for larger-footed men and he hires Simon/Lola to create them. Needless to say, Lola causes quite a stir among the conservative employees, particularly the burly male ones, but the designs are finished in time for a big shoe exhibit in Milan, where Lola and the members of her club act are scheduled to unveil the boots in a big production number—until a predictable obstacle arises. Want to place bets on whether everyone kisses and makes up and the boots prove a hit? What's best about Kinky Boots is Ejiofor, who brings shading and credibility to a role that could have been a walking, crooning cliché. Otherwise, however, this is a prefabricated crowd-pleaser with a distinctly by the numbers feel that might appeal to Imelda Marcos (with her passion for footwear), but for many others just won't fit. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include an audio commentary (with director Julian Jarrold and costars Joel Edgerton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Sarah-Jane Potts), “The Real Kinky Boots Factory” featurette (15 min.), four deleted scenes with optional commentary (8 min.), the two-minute “Journey of a Brogue” featurette on shoemaking, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven film.] (F. Swietek)