This Movie is Rated PG13 – For Thematic Material Involving Sexuality, and For Language
Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) tries to escape Northampton and the shoe factory that has been in his family for generations. Only to be pulled back in due to his father’s death. He then discovers that the business is failing, and has been for a while, unbeknownst to him. When he starts laying off people he is challenged by Lauren (Sarah-Jane Potts) to do something about it, instead of just giving up.
He then comes up with an idea to try and save the company, which involves Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor). She is a drag queen he stumbled across while he was in London. The goal is to make women’s shoes for men. In other words, in women’s styles but that are sturdy enough to support a man’s weight.
Chiwetel is absolutely fabulous as Lola. He makes an excellent drag queen and has got the attitude, sass and mannerisms down perfectly. His musical numbers at the club are wonderful (by the way, he does his own singing). My favorite was “Whatever Lola Wants”. Plus he is able to elegantly walk in extremely high heels (I could never pull that off). The whole cast is great, but Chiwetel steals the show. Oh, and his tirade about “red” is phenomenal.
I really enjoy this movie. There is a nice balance between funny and dramatic moments. We get to watch the characters struggle and try to figure out what they really want out of life. Also, deciding where their loyalties lie.
Favorite quotes:
Lola – “There are some very funny people out there.”
Lola – “Sorry to be presumptive … are you a mister?”
Charlie – “I’m a Charlie from Northampton.”
Lola – “Well I rather thought you might be.”
Lauren – “Well does it involve the words job back.”
Charlie – “Potentially.”
Lola – “You made her redundant … you miserable sod.”
Charlie – “Do you think there is a niche market for proper, good, decent, built to last boots for women … that are men?”
Lola – “All this way for my advice. I feel like Oprah.”
Lola – “Burgundy … please God tell me I’ve not inspired something burgundy.”
Lola – “Sex shouldn’t be comfy.”
Simon – “Besides one never knows what joy one might find amongst the unwanted … and abandoned.”
Lola – “A factory is it’s people, not it’s bricks.”
The factory scenes were shot at a real shoe factory named Tricker’s. Half of their workforce was used as extras in the movie.
This movie was inspired by a true story. Steve Pateman’s family had a shoe factory in Northampton that went back three generations. When faced with financial troubles they stumbled across the idea of making shoes for transvestites and drag queens.
Jan
Following is additional information about the movie that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
The scene in the bathroom between Lola and Charlie is wonderful. It’s the moment that they really bond and find out how much they have in common. We also discover how Simon is much more vulnerable than Lola (his alter ego).
Charlie’s entrance on the catwalk is just great. It catches everyone’s attention and there is just stunned silence. Joel was terrific. His awkwardness and near falls seemed so genuine and created the tension necessary for the scene.
I also thought it was clever how Lola’s arrival on the catwalk towards the end of the movie mirrored their meeting at the beginning of the movie. With Joel laying face down on the ground after he has fallen and Lola slowly walking up to him in her red boots.
