‘KINKY Boots,” the latest in the very long line of British comedies descended from “The Full Monty,” is an above-average entry in this niche genre, wherein groups of working-class people band together against adversity.
This one is allegedly “inspired” by a true story of employees at a century-old Midlands men’s shoe factory that faced closing because of declining business.
Mild-mannered Charlie (Joel Edgerton), who has just inherited the factory from his late father, has a brainstorm after he helps a hulking drag queen named Lola (Chiewetel Ejiofor) fend off attackers in a London back alley.
Our hero decides the factory can survive by serving a niche market – Lola and other men looking for more durable women’s-style shoes and boots.
But first Charlie and Lola have to win over the factory’s skeptical employees.
They include one homophobic bruiser who mistakes Lola (whose sexual preferences are carefully avoided) for a genetic woman when she shows up unannounced, in full drag, at the factory.
Tim Firth, who wrote the not dissimilar “Calendar Girls,” doesn’t miss a cliché of the genre, including a climatic fashion-show finale in Milan in which the shy Charlie is forced to walk the catwalk.
Edgerton is an amiable but fairly bland actor – not that there’s much suspense as he is torn between his fiancée (Jemima Rooper), who wants to turn the factory into pricey condos, and his spirited Girl Friday (Sarah-Jane Potts), who encourages his dreams.
The proceedings are dominated by the incredibly versatile Ejiofor, who is currently also on view as Denzel Washington’s associate in “Inside Man.”
Besides making the thinly conceived Lola (who has drinking and father problems) a memorable character, he lends his husky voice to several musical numbers, including the inevitable “Whatever Lola Wants.”
Title notwithstanding, it should be noted that “Kinky Boots” isn’t remotely racy. Not only won’t it offend grandma – she’ll probably enjoy this uplifting comedy.
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KINKY BOOTS
[** 1/2] (Two and one-half stars)
Good-natured fun.
Running time: 106 minutes. Rated PG-13 (sexuality, mild swearing). At the Lincoln Square, the Chelsea, the Sunshine.