Bootmen Reviews

bTruth is more cliché than fiction, if this movie — inspired by the life of Tap Dogs creator Dein Perry — is any indication. Newcastle, Australia: Blue-collar misfit Sean Okden (Adam Garcia) works in the local steel mill but really wants to be a tap dancer — he and his friends have all taken lessons from neighbor Walter (William Zappa), a professional tapper before an accident cut short his career. Sean's no-nonsense dad (Richard Carter) thinks all this fancy footwork is a load of nonsense and wishes Sean could be like older brother Mitch (Sam Worthington), who's saving up to buy a truck. Through Walter, Sean gets the opportunity to appear with a swanky show in Sydney that he promptly blows by taking a swing at the pompous star. So Sean comes home with big plans to form his own troupe, and there'll be none of that poncy, white-tie-and-tails nonsense when he's in charge. He rounds up his old pals &#151 Colin (Andrew Kaluski), a plumber; Derrick (Lee McDonald), a strip-joint bouncer; tap teacher Angus (Christopher Horsey); and enthusiastic youngster Jonno (Matt Lee) — gets them into industrial-strength boots with steel taps and starts putting together a show. The only thing missing is Mitch, Sean's childhood tap partner, but he and Sean have fallen out over the affections of local hairdresser Linda (Sophie Lee). Newcastle is Dein Perry's hometown; he worked as a machinist before putting together Tap Dogs, the real-life Bootmen, and several members of the movie's cast are Tap Dogs alumni. But clichés negate bona fides; hence, the movie feels like a corny Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland vehicle with cussing. That said, the tapping is fabulous, offering more energy, imagination and butch than a construction workers' jamboree. Viewers whose impression of tap dancing was formed by glossy MGM musicals will be properly boggled.