'Kinky Boots' treads familiar ground

For some folks, 107 minutes of life and around 10 bucks will be a small price to pay for the privilege of seeing Chiwetel Ejiofor, the magnetically masculine star of "Dirty Pretty Things," strut around in drag, transforming himself into something like Tina Turner crossed with Eartha Kitt.

Miramax Films 'Kinky Boots' 2 out of 5 stars The verdict: Yet another comedy about quirky Brits. Director: Julian Jarrold Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joel Edgerton, Sarah-Jane Potts, Jemima Rooper, Ewan Hooper Run time: 106 minutes Release date: April 14, 2006 Rating: PG-13 for thematic material involving sexuality, and for language. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Kinky Boots'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

That is quite a sight, and Ejiofor (as Lola) steals scenes while predictably bringing some dignity to an awkward role. Those immune to his charms, though, will see little in "Kinky Boots" that they couldn't dream up for themselves if they've watched "The Full Monty," "Billy Elliot" or any other entrants in Great Britain's burgeoning "plucky underdog beats the odds by doing something everyone around him finds ridiculous" genre.

The underdogs in this case aren't all cross-dressers. Some ply an even rarer trade: They make fine shoes. Joel Edgerton's Charlie has inherited a shoe company whose old-fashioned craftsmanship dooms it to failure in a cheap-and-disposable world. After meeting Lola, he discovers a niche where sturdiness might actually sell: Soon, his skeptical employees are turning out thigh-high zip-ups in hot red snakeskin.

The embarrassments that ensue are cute enough (Sarah-Jane Potts gets extra points for elfin charm), but the beats of the story are so tiresomely familiar that even fans of this genre might find themselves wishing for the venture to fail. It would be worth dragging "Boots" through the mud, just to see something surprising for a moment.