This is another one of those quirky working-class character-based comedies that the Brits seem to specialize in (ala the Full Monty) and it's a pretty good one. With drag queens.
I thought it was particularly well cast with the two main leads (Edgerton and, particularly, Ejiofor) who do a tremendous job bringing these characters to life. Ejiofor's portrayal of Lola/Simon is quite clearly the big draw here. It's a rich part and he plays it for all it's worth.
Other than the sharply-drawn characters you have the standard culture-clash stuff, can-do industrial spirit and lite romantic comedy. It's certainly a formula picture and the veteran movie-goer will be able to see all of the story beats coming. A little more ramped-up Lola-energy would have been appreciated to shake things up. Sex may be in the heel, but there really isn't any of it in the movie. And there's a forced conflict towards the end for the sake of dramatic tension but it's completely unconvincing.
Still, I'm a sucker for misfit characters and inspirational stories of reinvention so I'll give it a pass on the faults. I also now feel very self-conscious that none of my footwear is equipped with whip holsters--a lapse that will soon be rectified, I assure you.
Recommended for fans of Brit comedies and/or drag queens. You know who you are.
I thought it was particularly well cast with the two main leads (Edgerton and, particularly, Ejiofor) who do a tremendous job bringing these characters to life. Ejiofor's portrayal of Lola/Simon is quite clearly the big draw here. It's a rich part and he plays it for all it's worth.
Other than the sharply-drawn characters you have the standard culture-clash stuff, can-do industrial spirit and lite romantic comedy. It's certainly a formula picture and the veteran movie-goer will be able to see all of the story beats coming. A little more ramped-up Lola-energy would have been appreciated to shake things up. Sex may be in the heel, but there really isn't any of it in the movie. And there's a forced conflict towards the end for the sake of dramatic tension but it's completely unconvincing.
Still, I'm a sucker for misfit characters and inspirational stories of reinvention so I'll give it a pass on the faults. I also now feel very self-conscious that none of my footwear is equipped with whip holsters--a lapse that will soon be rectified, I assure you.
Recommended for fans of Brit comedies and/or drag queens. You know who you are.