Day 4: Bootmen

Yesterday, I brought you a musical.  Today, well, something kind of similar.  But not.....


Today's entry allows me to do something that I hope this blog will accomplish on a frequent basis:  introduce you to a movie you most likely have never seen or heard of, and hopefully entice you to check it out.  Released in 2000, Bootmen was a small Australian film that, while fairly well-known in it's homeland, didn't make a huge splash here in the states.  While not totally a comedy or drama, the film tends to float midway between the two.


The story focuses on Sean, played by Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly), a small-town steelworker who realizes a lifelong dream when he's invited to audition for a big city tap show.  After being hired, and then fired, for outperforming the lead star of the show, and landing a few nice punches as well, he returns home.  He learns upon his return of the possibility of the local steel mill being closed down, losing many people their jobs (including his disapproving father), he gathers some of his childhood friends, as well as his brother Mitchell, played by the now-famous Sam Worthington (Avatar, Terminator: Salvation, Clash of the Titans) in his first featured role, and decide to put on a tap show in the mill to help raise money for the ailing facility and it's workers.  After realizing that many of those who might attend might not be able to hear the performance, Sean has an epiphany, and the film's title becomes more obvious.  

Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly) in Bootmen

There are some well rounded subplots, including Sean and Mitchell's father, and his treatment of his two sons, after the loss of the family matriarch, as well as the various segues of trying to incorporate their friends into the group, which is not the most masculine of ways to become known.  The triangle between the two brothers was played nicely, and the twist in this relationship was unexpected, but makes for a satisfying story.


Some scenes can get a little bland, and seem a little too ready for cable movie night, but inter-cut with these are performance scenes showcasing the talented actors piecing together the different ideas for forming their show.


With Bootmen, this is one of those films that you'll just have to take my word for it, and I hope you will.  I think you'll be thoroughly entertained.  


As always, feel free to use the following links to purchase your own copy on DVD or BluRay, or add the film to your Netflix list.  For a preview, check out the trailer in HD below.