KINKY BOOTS

“Kinky Boots” may be cut from the same mold as some other feel good movies from the British Isles like “The Full Monty” from 1997 and “Waking Ned Devine” but none of the actors in those films went against type the way Chiwetel Ejiofor does here. He made a name for himself in director Stephen Frears’ “Dirty Pretty Things” as an illegal imigrant doctor working two jobs in London who gets caught up in the black market for body parts. Later he was a crime boss in “Four Brothers” and he just co-starred as detective Denzel Washington’s partner in “Inside Man.” Here, he’s Lola, a multitalented drag queen with her own night club who comes to the aid of a failing Northampton shoe factory in Scotland . His Lola can strut, dance, sing (was that really his voice?) and duke it out too. Ejiofor’s performance alone  is reason enough to go see “Kinky Boots.” That it’s a feel good movie too is a bonus.

Joel Edgerton plays Charlie Price, the heir to a failing shoe factory who gives up his dreams of life in the big city to try and save it from extinction in an ever changing modern world. He’s known the workers his whole life, and they in turn were dedicated to his father. On a business trip he goes to the aid of a lady being mugged. The lady turns out to be a he  named Lola. He/she ends up reviving Charlie in his club. Charlie sees the act and the outrageous costumes of the female impersonators. Once he learns that Lola makes all the clothes, except for the boots, Charlie gets a brainstorm. He will make boots for a niche market with Lola as his designer. Push comes to shove and Lola comes to his aid with all the gender bender humor the movie can muster. The workers feel challenged, abandoned, and then grateful. There are setbacks - financial and romantic. Charlie’s fiance doesn’t understand him. Another lady in the background does. Lola - in her/his own way is the most secure in who he is and - as one might guess - there are lessons to be learned.

“Kinky Boots” turned out to be a lot more entertaining than I expected thanks to a decent script, some heartfelt performances and of course - Chiweltel Ejiofor as Lola.

                                                                                                                      Copyright 2006

One with Joel Edgerton

“The Hard Word” (2002) - Not a great Aussie movie but a chance to see Joel Edgerton in an edgier role than his Charlie Price. He’s part of gang of brothers released by the warden to pull off a heist that goes wrong. Sometimes it works, and other times it doesn’t Joel is good and Guy Pearce (also a female impersonator in “Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert” listed below) is always at the top of his game.

Lest you have any misgivings about seeing other actors with a  machismo reputation check out these two films to see a few others in action - in drag

“Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” (1994) - Priscilla is the name of a run down pink bus that takes a drag show on the road in remote areas of Australia. Two of its stars would go to dispel the image they projected in this movie. Hugo Weaving is the brains behind the lip synching drag queen show that goes from town to town like the the old tent shows of the American South. He projects a more manly persona out of costume. Guy Pearce is the more effeminate of the group who has a tendency to flaunt his feminine side in the wrong places at the wrong times. Terence Stamp is the ‘old lady’ of the troupe and a star attraction. Weaving would later put his stamp on “The Matrix” trilogy as Agent Smith and lend substance to the man behind the mask as V in “V for Vendetta” with his mellifluous voice. Guy Pearce  was a tough as nails cop with an agenda who partners up with Russell Crowe in the classic “L.A. Confidential.” He was also great as the lawyer who defends Samuel L. Jackson in a military court in “Rules of Engagement.”

“To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar” (1995) - Not a great movie but I thought Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo had a lot of chutzpah to play three drag queens stuck in a small town when their car breaks down. Echoes of “Priscilla” The actors are the thing.

A Hollywood Icon in drag - sort of

“I Was a Male War Bride” (1949) - French Army officer Cary Grant has to impersonate a W.A..C. in order to get back to the States with his U.S. Army wife played by Ann Sheridan. From director Howard Hawks. Still holds up.

A drag-queens-are-people-too movie that was an indie hit from the pre-AIDS era

“Outrageous” (1977) - Female impersonator Craig Russell plays - what else - a female impersonator who doubles as a hairdresser. He befriends a pregnant girl (Hollis McLaren) with psychological problems. Witty and poignant.