"Bootmen is a highly entertaining dance movie which features the old theme of "lets put on a show" & could be best described as being a cross between "The Full Monty" & "Two Hands".
The film is set in the steel town of Newcastle on Australia's eastern coastline & centres around Sean Okden (Adam Garcia) & his determination to become a famous tap dancer. Sean & his brother Mitchell (Sam Worthington) both work in the local steel-mill & both fall in love with the same girl, hairdresser Linda (Sophie Lee).
Linda first falls in love with Sean but when Sean gets a job with a dance team in Sydney & has to move out of town, his brother Mitchell takes advantage of Linda's loneliness. He takes her out, gives her plenty to drink & convinces her that Sean will never come back. In the process Linda makes the mistake of falling to his advances.
When things don't work out in Sydney, Sean moves back to Newcastle & finds his brother & Linda in bed together. The conflict between the two brothers over the affections of Linda escalates and is well handled by the 3 young actors.
After his disappointment in Sydney & failing love life, Sean musters up enough drive & will-power to get together a dance-troupe of locals to perform in a benefit for the workers, who will lose their jobs, in the soon to be shut down steel-mill.
"Bootmen" is well-directed by new filmmaker Dein Perry (inspired by his early years in Newcastle) creator of the 2 famous dance stage-shows "Tap Dogs" and "Steel City". He has successfully created a film that blends drama with toe-tapping dance routines, a film that will have you wanting to screw metal plates to your boots to join in with all the fun.
Filmed on location in scenic Newcastle the cinematography is outstanding & captures the beauty and spirit of the steel city. Bootmen's soundtrack features popular Australian artists & the supporting cast of local Aussie actors is spot on.
"Bootmen's" dancing sensation, Adam Garcia, has once again shown, just as he did in "Coyote Ugly", that he has what it takes to become a big star. He has already developed a fan base around the world (star attraction of "Saturday Night Fever" in London's West End) & is certainly a star that we will see more & more of in the future.
"Bootmen" is a show-stopping, shoe-stomping, slice of urban Australiana. It should surge forward the progression of Australian cinema, into the mainstream.
