Kinky Boots
The knowledge that the film Kinky Boots was inspired by true events only makes the experience that much more heartwarming. The most important lesson to learn is that inspiration truly comes from all walks of life; in this case, literally! Kinky Boots is brought to the screen by the producers of Calendar Girls, as well as one of the screenwriters, Tim Firth. Debuting as director is Julian Jarrold. The two lead actors are award winners in their own right. Joel Edgerton (King Arthur and Ned Kelly), who plays Charlie Price, originates from Australia and has been nominated for several awards by the Australian Film Institute. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Amistad and Four Brothers) plays Lola/Simon and was born in England to Nigerian parents. He won a British Independent Film Award for Best Performance by an actor in Dirty Pretty Things.
The movie begins with a very brief history of the Price Shoe Factory and its four generations of ownership. The newest owner has just inherited the shop after his fathers death. Running the shoe factory was not what he had in mind for himself, but he feels an obligation to keep the family business going as the district of Northhampton and its people depend on it. Soon it becomes evident that the factory was already in financial trouble. He had to start laying employees off. A chance encounter in SOHO leads Charlie to come up with an idea to save the family business. He meets Lola, a feisty Drag Queen with a flair for fashion design and a need for stiletto heels that can take the weight of a man. Charlies first try meets with disappointment from Lola as she moans, “Please tell me I didnt inspire Burgundy.” She then goes on to explain, “…Look to the heel, young man. Sex is in the heel.” With the sexy drag queen’s insights into stiletto construction and their psycho-sexual subtext, Lola and Charlie may just save the Northhampton shoe factory from bankruptcy. They set out to design and manufacture a style of shoe that will supply an untapped market. Naturally, all does not go smoothly. The factory workers are narrow-minded at first. The Price Shoe Factory has always produced a distinguished and finely made shoe for men and now they are being asked to make “kinky boots” and other flashy shoes for a clientele most have never met or even seen, except for Lola. Eventually, they come to take pride in their creations, but not without some really funny situations. Kinky Boots is actually about two people who have spent their entire lives trying to fit in, and who suddenly find their happiness standing out.
The Blonde: Loved it! Kinky Boots was like Frank Marino and La Cage meets Connie and Carla meets Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choo shoes, meets Victor Victoria in reverse. When this film first began, I thought it got off to a slow start and felt that I would be in for a very long two hours. However, I was drawn in and captivated before long and the pace picked up as well. Being married to two shoe designers, I really appreciated this film. It was intelligent, clever, witty, informative, open, real, funny and well directed, written and cast. I enjoyed every shoe second of Kinky Boots.
The Maven: Any movie with shoes as its focus can hook me. The endearing cast of the film made it even more enjoyable to watch. Joel Edgerton, who played Charlie, has that “Everyman” quality about him. He was named one of Variety’s “Ten actors to watch.” For those who are curious, he was Owen Lars (Luke’s Uncle) in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
The Blonde: I also want to make one more observation. Not that our American actors aren’t wonderful, because they are, it’s just that I love the honesty and quality of the British actors. They are ALL just so believable and bloody brilliant. They don’t seem to act at all, but instead become ONE with their character. I can’t think of one single Brit actor that isn’t stellar. REALLY! By the way Mav, didn’t you simply adore Lola? I loved Chiwetel as well as his character. He is such a truly artistic and versatile actor. I do question his parents’ choice of names, however! I rather enjoyed some of her lines such as, “What most women want is a man that is fundamentally a woman,” “Even a guy/girl needs some nice pumps” and “The sex is in the heel” (I won’t touch that)! Great writing! What an amazing performance he/she brought home. Lola was so darn likeable that you found yourself rooting for her the ENTIRE film! Actually, I found myself rooting for all of the characters! They each had their own conflicts to overcome and deal with. It kept the film interesting.
The Maven: I loved how Chiwetel played Lola/Simon too—not as a man pretending to be a woman, not as a woman trapped in a man’s body, not as a parody of a woman, and not as a gay man. Few actors could do what he did. I didn’t recognize him from his recent role in Inside Man because he did such a perfect American accent in that film.
The Blonde: This film had all of the elements that not only make a movie a hit, but captures the minds and hearts of its audience. Being that it involved some controversial matters, I was delighted to find that it was written with great care and sensitivity. Stunning! Mav, would you care for some tea, scones and jelly?
The Maven: It was written by the same guy who wrote Calendar Girls, Tim Firth. You remember how much we loved that film! You know I like my Earl Grey Tea, but scones don’t do it for me! I’ll take the Black and White Cookie, thank you very much.
The Blonde: How can you not like scones? How about some Yorkshire Pudding or some Shepherd’s Pie?
The Maven: Why can’t I just have my Black and White Cookie? You are just like your mother, always pushing food on me!
The Blonde: Fine… Fine, fine, fine. For those spiritually conscious, Kinky Boots delivers many messages. Here’s your cookie!
The Maven: Well, thank goodness Rumsfeld resigned.
The Blonde: HE DID? You mean, while I was out getting your cookie?
The Maven: No, that was just wishful thinking, sorry…
The Blonde: Don’t toy with me. Ya know the press secretary resigned… yeah right. Maybe we can fill the position together. I think we would do a heck of a job.
The Maven: I can see it now… THE BLONDE AND THE MAVEN DO THE WHITE HOUSE.
The Blonde: Can you just imagine the scandal we would cause JUST BY TELLING THE TRUTH FOR A CHANGE?!
The Maven: The White House hasn’t disclosed the truth in six years.
The Blonde: We really need to get that job!!!! We would be great. And besides, it would give me the opportunity to sneak into Laura’s room and get my Louis Vuitton purse back!! (Look at last week’s article if you are confused)
The Maven: Now that’s KINKY! Hey Blonde, before we get ourselves in too much hot water or worse, actually get the job, let’s close! This film has a message of tolerance, but it’s not too preachy. There is nothing Kinky about it either. It’s delightfully entertaining and I recommend it to anyone who wants a light, endearing, hilarious, time at the movies. I rate it a B+ for its British Boldness and Broadminded Belly Laughs.
The Blonde: I also loved this film. It has a message of tolerance, but it’s not too preachy. There is nothing Kinky about it either. It’s delightfully entertaining and I recommend it to anyone who wants a light, endearing, hilarious, time at the movies. I rate it a B+ for its British Boldness and Broadminded Belly Laughs.
The Maven: Okay, what are you doing?
The Blonde: I am practicing. If we are going to work for the White House, we have to repeat what we are told to say.
The Maven: But I’m not Dick Cheney!
The Blonde: Run and see this film. It is wonderful, happy and contains much to learn about that we otherwise might not understand. For your film snacks, have some Charleston Shoes.
The Maven: Okay, those are Charleston CHEWS!
The Blonde: I was testing you! With that attitude to correct wrong information, you could never work for the White House!
PS: We spoke to Frank Marino, the STAR of La Cage in Vegas about the film and here is his reply: “Like Cinderella said, having the right shoe can change your life” and “Climbing the ladder of success is even harder when you’re wearing high heels.” WE JUST LOVE HIM!
