by Jo Johnstone
The Brit-flick.
A term that defines the films that embrace Britains smaller film industry. As a nation we may lack the budget of Hollywood but are still producing some of the best work in the world. Instead of large studios and budgets, our films are defined but quirkiness, cultural perspectives, social realisms and of course our ability to laugh at ourselves. One film that embraces these conventions is Kinky Boots, a story about how underdogs and outsiders find their place in the world.
The Brit-flick.
A term that defines the films that embrace Britains smaller film industry. As a nation we may lack the budget of Hollywood but are still producing some of the best work in the world. Instead of large studios and budgets, our films are defined but quirkiness, cultural perspectives, social realisms and of course our ability to laugh at ourselves. One film that embraces these conventions is Kinky Boots, a story about how underdogs and outsiders find their place in the world.
The movie follows Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) as he leaves his new home in London to return to Northampton. Here Charlie must learn to run the family shoe business after the sudden death of his father. Forced to lay off long time staff and facing possible closure, one ex-staff member Lauren, (Sarah-Jane Potts) suggests that he find a niche market to supply too. On a chance encounter Charlie meets drag queen Lola, (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and convinces him to help the factory design fetish footwear for women, (that are in fact men).
The film was inspired by a BBC documentary, Trouble at the Top. The program followed Steve Pateman of W.J.Brooks shoe factory as he struggled to keep his family established business afloat. Instead of selling the failing company, he found a niche in the market and began designing men’s fetish footwear.
The film was inspired by a BBC documentary, Trouble at the Top. The program followed Steve Pateman of W.J.Brooks shoe factory as he struggled to keep his family established business afloat. Instead of selling the failing company, he found a niche in the market and began designing men’s fetish footwear.
First thing that has to be noted is that the film has a predictable story line. Its nothing new to the British comedy-drama genre. The centre plot revolves around financial strife and how the players are going to get out of it. Despite this, the film is well done with lovable characters. Indeed, it is the characters that make the film shine in particular Ejiofor as Lola. The transvestite character has become the natural exhibitionist with in film. Here, Lola is flamboyant and larger than life but you see the underlying tragedy of the character in Ejiofor’s performance.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is very much the actor of the moment. With his turn in the yet to be released (in the U.K at least) Steve Mcqueen tale, 12 Years a Slave, he is already generating Oscar buzz, beginning to receive much deserved recognition.
Here, Ejiofor plays a dual role in many respects. For drag queen, Lola the masculine actor must inhabit a feminine diva persona. Lola is flamboyant, confident and a force to be reckoned with. When Lola removes the dress and make-up to, Simon is not as confident in his own skin. He plays a wounded man abandoned by his father for his lifestyle and judged by those around him. He plays both brilliantly and you fall in love as the two sides of his character merge.
Joel Edgerton is something of a chameleon. This is the actor who sized up to Tom Hardy in, Warrior, played a racist adulterer in, The Great Gatsby and here plays the simple Northampton boy trying to save his family business. Most notable here his accent which could fool the most authentic or Northampton residents but its his awkwardness that is his most endearing quality. Edgerton plays Charlie as the socially unaware but determined factory owner. Both Charlie and Lola go on journey’s of discovery through out the film and the pairs chemistry on screen is heart warming. Sadly Edgerton’s chemistry with Lauren, the factory worker, isn’t as strong and slightly under developed.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is very much the actor of the moment. With his turn in the yet to be released (in the U.K at least) Steve Mcqueen tale, 12 Years a Slave, he is already generating Oscar buzz, beginning to receive much deserved recognition.
Here, Ejiofor plays a dual role in many respects. For drag queen, Lola the masculine actor must inhabit a feminine diva persona. Lola is flamboyant, confident and a force to be reckoned with. When Lola removes the dress and make-up to, Simon is not as confident in his own skin. He plays a wounded man abandoned by his father for his lifestyle and judged by those around him. He plays both brilliantly and you fall in love as the two sides of his character merge.
Joel Edgerton is something of a chameleon. This is the actor who sized up to Tom Hardy in, Warrior, played a racist adulterer in, The Great Gatsby and here plays the simple Northampton boy trying to save his family business. Most notable here his accent which could fool the most authentic or Northampton residents but its his awkwardness that is his most endearing quality. Edgerton plays Charlie as the socially unaware but determined factory owner. Both Charlie and Lola go on journey’s of discovery through out the film and the pairs chemistry on screen is heart warming. Sadly Edgerton’s chemistry with Lauren, the factory worker, isn’t as strong and slightly under developed.
In terms of style the film doesn’t boost an extravagant budget but instead a simplistic cinematic style. One really intelligent thing the film does is contrast its settings of London and Northampton. While Northampton is lacking vibrant colour and and defined by its grey cobbled streets, London, (Soho mainly) is neon lights and fast cars. This contrast reflects the lives and personalities of its leads. Together, Charlie and Lola must find a common ground to save the Price family factory.
Music in the films plays a large part. Lola performs on stage through out the film in a Soho Club. The club scenes are highlights in the film showing Ejiofor’s performance and vocal ability. The finale of the film is a Milan catwalk show which although predictable is a energetic climax to a feel good film. Its easy to see how this eventually spawned a spin off stage musical
One criticism that was directed at the film during its theatrical run was for its formulaic brit-flick story structure. This is typical British comedy territory and although it does deal in gender identity issues, its not up there with the Billy Elliot’s of the screen. Despite it’s slightly predictable plot, its sheer entertainment with good humour and a few musical numbers thrown in.
Not a British classic but definitely not to be dismissed. A warm, funny and charming comedy with a great message about being true to yourself even if that means standing out.
Follow Jo on Twitter!
Music in the films plays a large part. Lola performs on stage through out the film in a Soho Club. The club scenes are highlights in the film showing Ejiofor’s performance and vocal ability. The finale of the film is a Milan catwalk show which although predictable is a energetic climax to a feel good film. Its easy to see how this eventually spawned a spin off stage musical
One criticism that was directed at the film during its theatrical run was for its formulaic brit-flick story structure. This is typical British comedy territory and although it does deal in gender identity issues, its not up there with the Billy Elliot’s of the screen. Despite it’s slightly predictable plot, its sheer entertainment with good humour and a few musical numbers thrown in.
Not a British classic but definitely not to be dismissed. A warm, funny and charming comedy with a great message about being true to yourself even if that means standing out.
Follow Jo on Twitter!
RSS Feed
