KINKY BOOTS

How the British love to tease us with their little working-class comedies that titter and wink around some naughty behavior (so often, it's "shocking" nudity). In Julian Jarrold's oh-so-slight wannabe charmer, the bugbear the stiff-upper-lips and lager lads alike must embrace is that some men like to wear women's clothing, and that, not surprisingly, there's cash to made catering to this market. Oh, and cross-dressers are people too, with feelings behind their sequined smiles. The upcoming actor Chiwetel Ejiofor ticks role-in-women's-clothing off his list; he's the sad, sweet big girl, Lola. The film is based on a recent true story, though I can't possibly imagine that any shoe-factory worker about to lose his job gave a toss whether he was making brogues for bankers or high-heeled boots for transvestites. The film's archaic premise that there's something utterly dreadful about making fetish shoes is laughable, but not in a good way. Starts Fri., May 19. (AH)