Kinky Boots

Ya know those fun old movies where the underdog, after much heartache and travail, manages to come from behind and "win the big one"? Well, this is actually a movie like that... It is based on a real story and it is shot in a real shoe factory, using some of the real craftsmen (and women) who really work there. It is an upbeat movie that stars actors with whom I am not familiar, so it is easy for me to suspend disbelief and totally buy into this thing.

The only actor I recognize is Chjwetel Ejiofor, and I can't even pronounce HIS name! He has been in "Dirty Pretty Things" with Audrey Tautou, and "Red Dust" with Hillary Swank, but I haven't seen either of those. He is a pretty good singer, and he can look pretty good in drag, too! (The comments on the DVD case call his character a "sassy, cross-dressing cabaret singer.")

The story is about an English shoe factory that is over 100 years old. The owner suddenly dies, so his reluctant son and heir is saddled with it. Not only does he NOT want to be there, but he quickly discovers that the factory is on the brink of disaster, as one of it's major clients has just gone into receivership, leaving a massive inventory of men's oxfords. His father had made him work all aspects of production while he was growing up, so he not only knows the work, but he has laboured side-by- side with the very people he now finds it necessary to lay off. (Did'ja notice the King's English spelling of "labour?" ...nudge, nudge, wink, wink...)

What with one thing and another, he desperately clutches at a last straw...making footwear for drag queens, who have been forced to purchase women's shoes, which are...too flimsy...too small...not outrageous enough. Therein lies our tale.

The sound track is great fun, from Nina Simone, with her unique little tremolo, to a rousing rendition of "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'" with Mr. Ejiofor himself doing the honors. It's surprising how many songs there are that have references to shoes, feet and boots!

The movie was shot on location in a shoe factory in England, and in Milan, Italy, where the international footwear show is held each year, so you get to travel a little, too.

This is no Oscar-winning art piece, it's just a little feel-good flick that makes you smile...

A couple of you have seen this, please let me know if you agree, disagree, or wish to add something. Thanks!