Search - Kinky Boots on DVD

Susan H. (SusanH) from FAIRMONT, WV
Reviewed on 12/27/2009...

I love English movies, but had not heard of this one before I purchased it. A really cute, funny film. The entire cast was excellent, and the story draws you in and makes you care for their characters. If you like English comedies you probably won't be disappointed.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Sari Lynn G. (Sari-Lynn) from SEATTLE, WA
Reviewed on 2/24/2008...

Chiwetel Ejiofor gives an excellent performance as the drag queen who becomes the muse behind a plan to save a shoe factory from closing. Funny and poignant at times - a fun movie!

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Sharon C. (sharonc9630) from KNOXVILLE, TN
Reviewed on 1/22/2008...

I thought this movie was hysterical.
If you enjoyed the full monty this movie is perfect for you

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

The performances make this comedy/drama

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 09/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Even if these boots aren't exactly made for walking, they do look stylish. Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) must take over the family shoe business when his father dies. He discovers that the company is failing badly. He finds salvation of sorts when he meets drag queen and cabaret singer Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor from "Serenity" proving his versatility in this role). Lola complains about how the footwear she wears is so poorly designed. Lauren (Sarah-Jane Potts) a former employee has a brainstorm--goes into men's fetish footwear. In other words, women's shoes that men (whether they be drag queens or not) can wear. Suddenly Charles has a niche market to work with and success comes unexpectedly comes knocking at his door. Unfortunately Charles must deal with his fiancé's (Jemima Rooper) disapproving attitude and the prejudice of his own employees before success can be fully his.

An amusing and poignant film that has just the right mix of drama in it, "Kinky Boots" was inspired by a true story. The performances are uniformly excellent throughout with a star making turn from actor Chiwetel Ejiofor as the transvestite Lola. He's not exactly a beautiful transvestite but quite convincing in the role.

With a transfer that has the sheen and texture of leather "Kinky Boots" looks quite good with minimal digital artifacts. Although some of the darker scenes don't have quite as much detail as they should the overall look of the film in this transfer is quite good with accurate color, skin tones and detail. The 5.1 mix sounds good but most of the action and dialogue (not surprisingly) occurs in the center speaker and two front ones.

We get an observant and fact filled commentary track from director Julian Jarrold, stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joel Edgerton and Sarah-Jane Potts. Their commentary track was done all at the same time so there's a nice dynamic between the actors and director that keeps the commentary moving along. Although it does occasionally focus on the obvious (nice performance here, etc.) there are nice tidbits of trivia about the production of the film.

"The Real Kinky Boots Factory" featurette focuses on the inspiration for the film in the UK. Producer Nick Barton discusses how they saw a documentary on a family business that was struggling against inexpensive imports and how they found their niche with the cross dressing market. Steve Pateman the current factory owner provides the background on the story and we see quite a bit of their actual product as well as hearing from the actors about how their research influenced the fictional story on screen.

"The Journey of a Brogue" provides a visual montage of the production of the shoes. It's brief but an interesting glimpse into the detail. A pity that it's not longer with comments from actual shoe producers as there is a great story behind the production of shoes and the struggle against inexpensive imports that some manufacturers have waged.

We also get four deleted scenes with commentary by director Jarrold. The deleted scenes are primarily character bits where for example Lola bonds with the women and men who work on the shoe production or Charlie reminisces with Lauren and discusses the changes to the factory production. Jarrold points out that while the scenes are quite good they effected the pacing of the film and were cut for that reason. "The Prettiest Star" features Lola remembering his childhood and obsession with women's footwear walking along the pier to Bowie's "The Prettiest Star".

An amusing character comedy "Kinky Boots" features stellar performances from a strong cast. It's a funny, affecting film with just the right mix of poignant drama and comedy that the British are so adept at doing.
"

A Star is Born? Yes, Chiwetel Ejiofer

Gerard D. Launay | Berkeley, California | 09/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are plenty of movies where an actor plays a drag queen but I have NEVER seen a better drag queen performance than Chiwetel Ejiofer's rendition of a man who is sexy and sharp on the outside, yet vulnerable, even innocent on the inside. When he is asked to help a dying shoe business in England develop "boots made for walking" by men who like to dress great in drag, he does so out of tangible friendship for the young owner. I just simply loved his performance, because he lights up the screen - whether dressed as a man or a girl. What should the company make? Not mere footwear but "tubular sex." Great fun."

Not just a hilarious film but a life lesson

R. Kyle | USA | 09/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""What can I do?" Charlie asks his employee, Lauren, when he's firing her. "The men's shoe market is gone."

"Go out and find another market," she tells him.

And he does.

At first that market doesn't sit too well with his Northhampton working class employees, but when they realize this is their last hope of keeping their jobs and the Price Shoe Factory alive, they dig in.

What are they making? Kinky Boots---don't think of them as shoes, but as tubes of sex...

And those sexy shoes are for men, women, and folks who haven't made up their minds yet. Their lead designer is a young drag queen "Lola" aka Simon, who is still learning who he is as well.

There are lessons about both life and business in this film. If I were teaching a management course, I'd be showing this along with the "Prince," because "Kinky Boots" teaches a lot about thinking outside of the box, engaging your workers, keeping their pride, and finally--doing what you have to do to keep the dream alive.

I'm glad I purchased this film and will strongly recommend it to friends."