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Kinky Boots (2005) Blu-ray Review

“Kinky Boots” fares better in musical form.

Based on a true story, 2005’s “Kinky Boots” is a British-comedy that revolves around the son of a shoe factory owner (Charlie). After Charlie’s father passes away, his life is upended as his plans with his fiancee are put on hold. He also has to figure out what to do with the factory itself. Inspiration strikes him when he encounters a drag queen named Lola. Working with Lola, he decides to create the titular boots for a niche market even though he may risk everything in the process.

In retrospect, it’s impossible not to compare the Julian Jarrold directed theatrical movie with the musical version. The theatrical movie is pretty straight forward and clearly tries to channel hit movies like “The Full Monty.” The script by Tim Firth and Geoff Deane is rather rushed and doesn’t leave a lot of breathing room from the characters. The writers seem more concerned with hitting dramatic beats and plot points. The tone is also rather uneven. The saving graces here are Chiwetel Ejiofor (Lola) and Nick Frost (who plays the factory worker Don. Both of their performances elevate the story.

So what’s lacking in the theatrical version compared to the musical? A lot. Now, I haven’t seen the Broadway show, but I have watched a recording of the stage musical from London (reviewed here: https://dvdcorner.net/2021/06/08/kinky-boots-blu-ray-review/) which was exquisite. The musical is full of energy, has a perfect balance of drama and comedy, and focuses more on the characters. There’s also the inclusion of original songs which add a lot to the story emotionally. It’s rare to see a story that turns out better once it’s translated into another medium, but that’s exactly what happened with “Kinky Boots.”

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.40:1 1080p. How does it sound? Expect a crisp hi-def transfer for this catalogue title.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The audio does not fare quite as well here as it’s generally rather low and soft.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* 4 deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Julian Jarrold.
* “The Real Kinky Boots Factory”- The story behind the movie.
* “The Journey Of A Brogue”- A look at the making of a Brogue shoes.

June 19, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joel Edgerton, Kinky Boots (2005) Blu-ray Review, Kinky Boots Musical, Nick Frost