Kinky Boots
Miramax Films | Release Date: April 14, 2006
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
16
Mixed:
13
Negative:
1
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
ArnoldP.Apr 15, 2006
So it's a by-product of formula filmaking, but for me the point was, in however sugar coated it was delivered, it dealt with a insidious prejudice against gays, and drag queens. Simon beautifully portrayed by Ejiofor is our hero, who So it's a by-product of formula filmaking, but for me the point was, in however sugar coated it was delivered, it dealt with a insidious prejudice against gays, and drag queens. Simon beautifully portrayed by Ejiofor is our hero, who doesn't die tragically, he helps transforms even one man's homophobia. We live in the most ethnically and culturally nation on the planet and in this small film get, that we were all created in the image of a higher source. Bravo to the Brit's!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
NancyS.Apr 26, 2006
Just saw this last night and enjoyed a free viewing, in spite of people I have to assume have never seen a drag queen or a transexual based on when they laughed and the incessant talking behind us. The plot is more-or-less predictable, no Just saw this last night and enjoyed a free viewing, in spite of people I have to assume have never seen a drag queen or a transexual based on when they laughed and the incessant talking behind us. The plot is more-or-less predictable, no real surprises, unless you consider Ejiofor's performance which was beautifully done. Not a man trying to be a woman or some sort of caricature but someone with a side of their personality that they had to be true to. Nicely done and a pleasure to watch (barring the atmosphere in the theatre). I would have paid to see this.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
KenG.May 3, 2006
Not so much a really bad movie, as it is an uninspired one, that lacks imigination. If filmmakers had been smart they would have made movie the drag-queen's story, and dropped all the other stuff. Fimmakers weren't that smart.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JimG.May 7, 2006
Enjoyable, if formulaic, movie. Apparently drag queens are still a novelty, though Lola and Simon are given a little more depth than usual.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
DougC.Jul 2, 2006
I went to see it because some friends of mine were actors in it. I wish I hadn't. It was way too long and the acting was flat as a pancake. I've seen Daniel Pettrow and Patricia French do a great job elsewhere.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
MJS.Jul 31, 2006
Lesson, laughs and love all presented in a story line that although at times predictable, keeps your interest.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MaseApr 23, 2006
Very sugary like a vanilla meringue. Very easy to watch and pleasant. Ejofor is the drag queen with the heart of gold and comes up aces. You can't help but smile. Better than calender girls in my opinion. I hear alot about how this Very sugary like a vanilla meringue. Very easy to watch and pleasant. Ejofor is the drag queen with the heart of gold and comes up aces. You can't help but smile. Better than calender girls in my opinion. I hear alot about how this movie wasn't kinky enough, well it was meant for a certain audience of older women, and every drag queen needs a movie to take his grandma too. We need diversity in drag queen movies too!! there is nothing wrong with a sweet PG-13 drag queen movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
larryk.May 13, 2006
Good story, good music, upbeat humor, great photography.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
GrantH.May 26, 2006
Absolutely wonderful.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
lasttimeisawAug 30, 2014
KINKY BOOTS has become a Broadway sensation in 2013 with music and lyrics from Cyndi Lauper, while this original film is equally brilliant with a broad message of self-affirmation. Directed by Julian Jarrold (BECOMING JANE 2007, 7/10), it isKINKY BOOTS has become a Broadway sensation in 2013 with music and lyrics from Cyndi Lauper, while this original film is equally brilliant with a broad message of self-affirmation. Directed by Julian Jarrold (BECOMING JANE 2007, 7/10), it is another old-fashioned uplifting adult fairytale from UK, such as CALENDAR GIRLS (2003, 7/10), and THE FULL MONTY (1997), both exploit on the prudish nudity, but this film, based on a true event, is about a shoe factory owner Charlie (Edgerton) saves his family business by finding a niche market to design kinky boots for drag queens, with the help of a black transvestite Lola (Ejiofor), the story itself sounds outlandish, but the film is a thorough bliss to watch.

continue reading my review on my blog: google cinema omnivore, thanks… Expand
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5
beingryanjudeSep 4, 2014
Not nearly as kinky as you may have anticipated, but Chiwetel Ejiofor's sassy performance will make this worth at least one viewing over the new-Broadway classic.
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8
alejandro970Jun 25, 2017
Indepedient british comedy with some essence from The full Monty. THe story of a troubled shoemaker and his need of survive has some points in favor; Chiwetel Ejiofor is cracking in the boots of a drag queen. Deserves a chance.
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6
tiparSep 2, 2018
I was expecting some more musical acts but nope, just a couple of them. Is not boring but neither the best movie I have seen. And sorry for Ejiofor but it seemed to me that he was not that comfortable, any "Ru Paul"'s alumnae would have beenI was expecting some more musical acts but nope, just a couple of them. Is not boring but neither the best movie I have seen. And sorry for Ejiofor but it seemed to me that he was not that comfortable, any "Ru Paul"'s alumnae would have been better with the exception of the catwalk musical act, he nailed that.… Expand
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5
DawdlingPoetNov 28, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I felt this came across like a film version of a sitcom. It reminded me of films like The Full Monty, for fairly obvious reasons, being set in England, during a time of a bleak economy, with people desperately trying to stay in business, or otherwise make things work.

There is the inevitable comedy element with people feeling out of place, both the transvestites/drag artists, who are only fully understood (and possibly repsected) by a minority and the factory owner, trying to understand what they look for in a particularly good pair of shoes or moreso boots, for their acts. There are some amusing scenes, with drag acts shown on stage being somewhat 'fruity' I suppose you could say, although there's nothing especially graphic shown. To me there seemed a big clash present throughout this film. The clash is the mix of comedy and drama. Some scenes are clearly quite serious, with Charlie talking about how much his family business means to him, history wise and so on, while other scenes are more amusing - one such scene featuring Lola and Don (a butch member of factory staff) fighting it out in a local pubs arm wrestling championship, with other observers cheering away while they both tough it out. While it seems that one of them is the clear winner in the end, after both of them have a short conversation nearby some minutes later, its made clear that things aren't as they first seemed. Its certainly a bit cheesy and covers some pretty unoriginal themes such as being determined to fit in, to make a go at something new, to rise from the ashes I suppose, in a metaphorical way, plus the whole subject or concept of personal identity and success. There are some pretty amusing scenes featuring Lola's act on stage, as mentioned, although there perhaps weren't quite enough memorable comedy scenes to make it stand out as an especially memorable, or very good, film in my mind really. If the whole idea of the film is to make people laugh or giggle at the idea of transvestites, then maybe im a bit too PC but I suppose I think its a bit too much like films of this sort from the past, a bit too trying to poke fun at the underdogs type of thing somehow. I felt that there was a big clash between lighthearted scenes and the much more serious undertone it carried, which was emphasised with a probably unnecessary use of classical instrumentation at times - clearly the filmmakers were really trying their best to make people shed a tear but it just felt a bit too sentimental, a bit too cheesy, too...predictable and outdated somehow. Don't get me wrong, there are some funny moments but it just doesn't compare to the likes of The Full Monty, which I remember seeing when it was released and I was a teenager in the 1990s. I couldn't help but think that the plot seemed a bit too obvious, not at the start but once the main story unfolded. I suppose I was expecting more in the way of comedy than drama.

Cast wise, Joel Edgerton plays Charlie, coming across as attempting to be quite a determined person, while clearly also being timid and nervous, wanting to carry on his families tradition of shoemaking and not accepting anything less than the best, while guessing whats really needed. He seems quite out of his depth, visually coming across as quite agitated and flustered.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, better known for playing the lead role in '12 Years a Slave', portrays the tranvestite, Lola, who attempts to save the shoemaking business. His personalty, or that of his drag alter ego, comes to life when on stage, when he comes across as quite flamboyant and bolshy, whereas when he's in the factory, he is more reserved and possibly sensitive.

Nick Frost also appears in this film as Don, being the token macho type. Not a great deal is made of his character but I'd say he plays his part much as you'd expect him too, being a bit cocky and the like. One plus side this film has is the soundtrack, with some fun disco tracks, such as 'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie' (by Baccara), 'Going Back To My Roots' (by Odyssey) and 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'' (by Nancy Sinatra).

Running time wise, this film is just under an hour and three quarters long, so it isn't a particularly long running film. I felt it had become a bit predictable before the hour was out. There were some fairly amusing moments and the cast is reasonably good but it really isn't especially memorable or particularly great, its alright but thats about as far as I'd stretch I suppose, if you know what I mean lol.

No, I wouldn't particularly recommend this film. Its alright but the script is lacking, so I felt anyway, it was a bit too predictable, a bit too sentimental or/and cheesy and not especially memorable, or not particularly for the right reasons. There are some amusing scenes but thats about it.… Expand
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