The mid-2000’s, specifically 2005, was a time of mainstream movies featuring non-hetero characters and themes. Of course, the horse that led the pack was Brokeback Mountain, but an enormous number of top-tier films followed, and for the first time, the novelty of depicting homosexual or transgender protagonists had worn off. While it’s still not quite at the representation level that it one day will be, this period of time is responsible for making it all the more mainstream.
However, only one of these movies made its way to Broadway, and that is Kinky Boots. Released in the UK in 2005, followed by Sundance and the US in 2006, today the title is more known for the massive Broadway hit that it currently stands as. However, there would have never been the show without the movie, and the movie can stand firmly in place alone.
Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) has inherited his family’s shoe company only to discover that their product – beautiful men’s shoes built to last – are all but obsolete. In a turn of events, Charlie stumbles upon Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor) a drag queen star who is tired of having to wear shoes built for women. The fit is perfect and before he knows it, Charlie starts making boots for men. Conflict and hilarity ensue.
The film became available on Netflix to stream earlier this month, and the treat is ours. Eight years since its release, the film is an absolute blast and it is no wonder that it inspired a bestselling show. The lead actors, Ejiofor and Edgerton are now more known for their Oscar-nominated movies, but it’s likely they wouldn’t have landed roles in 12 Years A Slave or Zero Dark Thirty without building their independent credit from this movie. Ejiofor is especially captivating: he has some subtle nuances in his depiction manly femininity, avoiding easy clichés and capturing the full allure of Lola as both a man and a woman. His range is staggering, and selfishly I just want to see him in more leading roles with this level of range. And Edgerton, who still has yet to reach the A-list, plays the empathetic everyman in a way that invites and connects us to his life.
The lead actors, Ejiofor and Edgerton, are now more known for their Oscar-nominated movies, but it’s likely they wouldn’t have landed roles in 12 Years A Slave or Zero Dark Thirty without building their independent credit from this movie.
The film is ultimately about accepting change, a beautiful message told here in a fun way. The characters who embrace this (Lola, Charlie, Lauren, and even Nick Frost’s Don) are the ones that we root for, and conversely the characters who don’t are the villains. Often the structure of movies hides the characters’ transitions, but here it is the emphasis. Charlie has to adapt to a world that no longer appreciates his family’s livelihood, and the rest of the characters have changes that are too fun to spoil.
Personally speaking, my favorite types of films are the ones that can provide a balance of laughter and emotion. In this case, the film leans more toward the former, but by no means dismisses the dramatic elements of the movie. This is a film with a lot of heart, and while in today’s world it doesn’t push any new boundaries, it nonetheless enlivens for the entire runtime. I had an absolute blast watching this and hope that you do as well. The film is now available to stream on Netflix.
