Kinky Boots (2005) review

When men's luxury shoe manufacturer Harold Price (Robert Pugh) passes away, his son Charlie (Joel Edgerton) is given the responsibility of keeping the business running but comes to the quick realization they're struggling financially (and has to lay off a few long-time employees), so after he has a chance encounter with drag queen Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor) - who's being assaulted by thugs - both of them come up with a (rather daft) plan to design elaborate footwear (for men) and then present them to the haute couture crowd in Milan.  It basically follows the same formula as other "working class" dramas like The Full Monty and Billy Elliot - Lola has to contend with some bigotry (mostly from bulky Don, played by comedian Nick Frost) and Charlie's icy fiancée Nicola (Jemima Rooper) wants him to sell the company - and there's a contrived "fight" in the last act between Charlie and Lola that threatens the runway show, yet the points made regarding about tolerance for those different from you, trying to protect your workers and making fashion tantalizing ("sex is in the heel") are all completely valid.  What's also nice is how Charlie finally ditches Nicola for cute employee Lauren (Sarah-Jane Potts) ... although if there was a compliance officer around I'm sure he or she would not approve.