Kinky Boots (2006)

I have just watched Kinky Boots again and have once more been knocked out by the humanity that is demonstrated in this simple, yet just a little complex, story. It is populated with believable characters who are well fleshed-out and about whom you will find that you care. Chiwetel plays Lola magnificently, with humour and empathy. Joel plays Charlie as being just a little the under-dog who recognises a never before considered opportunity and rallies with the right support. Sarah-Jane is wonderful and has such an expressive face that you know exactly what she's thinking, even when she's not speaking. As an essay in how we should accept diversity and treat each other well, it works on several levels. It's good to think that there is more of this generous spirit in the world than not. On that basis alone, it would be hard not to feel good by the end of this little story.

KINKY BOOTS has become a Broadway sensation in 2013 with music and lyrics from Cyndi Lauper, while this original film is equally brilliant with a broad message of self-affirmation. Directed by Julian Jarrold (BECOMING JANE 2007, 7/10), it is another old-fashioned uplifting adult fairytale from UK, such as CALENDAR GIRLS (2003, 7/10), and THE FULL MONTY (1997), both exploit on the prudish nudity, but this film, based on a true event, is about a shoe factory owner Charlie (Edgerton) saves his family business by finding a niche market to design kinky boots for drag queens, with the help of a black transvestite Lola (Ejiofor), the story itself sounds outlandish, but the film is a thorough bliss to watch. Chiwetel Ejiofor is my current BEST ACTOR winner in 2013 for 12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013, 9/10), and this is another spectacular performance in his résumé, his boxer physique and deep voice do not deter his transformation into Lola, a flamboyant cabaret singer, covered with heavy make-up and kitschy costume, but Ejiofor siphons Lola's vulnerability and sensitivity perfectly on the screen out of her ostentatious stage flair, which gives enormous warmth to keep the film afloat, in spite of many standard clichés about provincial prejudice towards the trans-gender minority and a bitch-faced girlfriend who will ultimately cheat on our protagonist. Edgerton's Charlie, is a traditional guy, craves for a normal family life and worries about that he could not live up to his father's expectation, his self-affirmation remedy is inspired by Lola but the film doesn't shy away from his own bias as well although the over-heightened drama between him and Lola does merely serve as a plot device rather than a sincere catharsis. Nick Frost and Linda Bassett play two among several working-class laborers in the factory, the former is basically for comic relief and the latter is devised to express her feistiness occasionally. Potts' Lauren is the good gal always standing behind the man's back and Rooper's Nicola is the unsupportive girlfriend with a uncomely bob hairdo.Narrative aside, the musical rendition from Lola steals the limelight every time, Ejiofor's voice is a bit too blunt and in lack of variety, but his diva aura is second to none. Cleverly and intentionally, Jarrold blurs the line of Lola's sexuality, we are in the era of non- discrimination of one's sexuality, so it doesn't matter in any rate, the film is a fairly accomplished musical, balanced with both drama and comedy elements, it is also a small picture with a big heart, terrifically accessible to audience, neither cringing-worthy nor patronizing, this alone, is worth the good words-of-mouth and a two-thumbs-up.

Kinky boots is a movie about hope, inspiration, accepting that is sometimes hard to accept. Watching this in 2014 just makes me think how many incredible movies do not really make it to big screen. The movie is one of the best works of both Chiwetel Ejiofor and Joel Edgerton. The song selection is just one of the best. 70s was the best time ever I think for pop and many other music genre. I am just thankful to Netflix for taking this movie else a good movie would have slipped by me.If you have not watched this one yet, you are missing a great feel good feel movie. Go rent it, stream it whatever you need to do, but watch it.10/10 for making my evening better!

The plot was quite predictable, as other reviews have also stated, but I still found the movie extremely entertaining. The humor was what charmed me. It was not the mean kind of humor where you are supposed to laugh because people are acting like idiots or caught in overly embarrassing situations. This movie contained humor that was warm and happy and presented so that it won't make fun of any single group of people. My opinion is that this kind of humor is hard to come up with but gives the most satisfactory laughs.The acting was OK, as was the musical score and whatnot other technical bits there are in a movie, nothing to complain in those. I also liked the sets such as the shoe factory that is in a central part in the movie and its plot. The length of the movie was OK also - not too long nor too short. One could say that the movie tries to make people more understanding towards each other and point out how there is intolerance in the world but this message isn't brought to your face so that it would prevent you from having a good time.Women will probably get the most out of this movie (shoes, dozens of shoes!) but I can't see any reason for men to enjoy watching this also (as I did).