Kinky Boots (2005)

A drag queen comes to the rescue of a man who, after inheriting his father's shoe factory, needs to diversify his product if he wants to keep the business afloat.

Director:

Julian Jarrold

Writers:

Geoff Deane, Tim Firth

Stars:

Joel Edgerton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sarah-Jane Potts

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joel Edgerton	...	Charlie
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Lola
Sarah-Jane Potts	...	Lauren
Nick Frost	...	Don
Linda Bassett	...	Melanie
Jemima Rooper	...	Nicola
Robert Pugh	...	Harold Price
Ewan Hooper	...	George
Stephen Marcus	...	Big Mike
Mona Hammond	...	Pat
Kellie Bright	...	Jeannie
Joanna Scanlan	...	Trish
Geoffrey Streatfield	...	Richard Bailey (as Geoffrey Streatfeild)
Leo Bill	...	Harry Sampson
Gwenllian Davies	...	Mrs. Cobb

Storyline

Charles Price may have grown up with his father in the family shoe business, but he never thought that he would take his father's place. Yet, the untimely death of his father places him in that position, only to learn that Price & Sons Shoes is failing. While in despair at his failed attempts to save the business, Charles has a chance encounter with the flamboyant drag queen cabaret singer, Lola. Her complaints about the inadequate footwear for her work combined with one of Charles' ex-employees, Lauren, leads to a suggestion to change the product to create a desperate chance to save the business: make men's fetish footwear. Lola is convinced to be their footwear designer and the transition begins. Now this disparate lot must struggle at this unorthodox idea while dealing both the prejudice of the staff, Lola's discomfort in the small town and the selfish manipulation of Charles' greedy fiancée who cannot see the greater good in Charles' dream.

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Plot Keywords:

shoe | drag queen | model | boots | factory | 

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Taglines:

How Far Would You Go To Save The Family Business?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving sexuality, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

BV Entertainment [us] Miramax [us]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 2005 (UK)

Also Known As:

Botas audaces para pies diferentes

Filming Locations:

Clacton, Essex, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$77,529 (USA) (14 April 2006)

Gross:

$1,819,454 (USA) (28 July 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax Films, Harbour Pictures, Price Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Inspired by the true story of a traditional English men's footwear factory in Northamptonshire which turned to production of kinky boots for transvestites in order to save the ailing family business and safeguard the jobs of the local community.

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Goofs

When the train goes through the station labeled Northampton at the beginning of the film, it's not the real Northampton station.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Lola's Dad: Come on. Come on, you stupid boy!

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Connections

Referenced in Psych: One, Maybe Two, Ways Out (2010)

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Soundtracks

"I Put a Spell on You"
(1956)
Written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins (as Jay Hawkins)
Performed by Nina Simone
Courtesy of The Verve Music Group

User Reviews

Frank Capra Would Have Appreciated This

We on the other side of the Atlantic are only now getting to see this wonderful comedy/drama from the United Kingdom. Hard to believe for some that a film with drag entertainers could take its inspiration from Frank Capra.

But that's exactly what you have here. Charlie Price played by Joel Edgerton is a 21st century George Bailey, the closest I've ever seen to one portrayed in a long time. He's inherited his family business which is a shoe factory in Northampton. But the market is interested in the kind of craftsmanship his company has been known for over generations. Outlets are now buying cheaper stuff from the former Soviet bloc. He's letting his workers go.

One of them, Linda Bassett, tells him to get up and fight. And an inspiration hits him in the form of a spiked heel. He rescues what he first thinks is a woman, but it is a drag entertainer played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Her spike has broken off in the attack and she's going to have to lay out some big money for new boots.

Like in the old cartoons, a lightbulb goes on over his head and he realizes there's a market here untapped for feminine footwear for cross-dressers. And who better to design the stuff than the person who knows her needs best.

It's not as easy as it sounds. Edgerton has a whole load of issues to overcome as does Ejiofor in learning to trust and respect his new business partner.

If you've seen any of Frank Capra's populist classics from the Thirties and Forties you already know what the ending will be.

Though for the life of me I cannot see James Stewart doing what Edgerton almost has to do to save the situation at the fashion show.