A Heel in Pumps

THE MOVIE: “Switch.�

THE SET UP: A ruthless womanizer is murdered by a former girlfriend, and his spirit is reincarnated in the form of a perfectly shaped woman, Amanda Brooks (Ellen Barkin, pictured), with his/her former macho mind-set fully intact.

THE LOOK: Finally, here’s a movie that fashion lovers can indulge in. Entire scenes are devoted to Barkin (Brooks) teetering on her utterly wonderful Manolo Blahnik pumps. She wears them in lime, pink, orange, red and cream suede, plus metallic gold and black patent, with a special close-up reserved for the orange pair with a leaf cutout design.

Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick skillfully crosses the line between blatant sexuality and lively style. There’s hardly a moment when Barkin’s body isn’t on display in a short, tight tube dress, a bra-sculpted sheath or a straight little skirt, but she pairs them with the best jackets of the moment. There are boleros and blazers by Rifat Ozbek, Christian Francis Roth, Christian Lacroix and L.A.’s Richard Tyler, all worn with small structured handbags and shoulder-grazing drop earrings by Deanna Hamro of Los Angeles and Lacroix.

Lorraine Bracco’s Sheila Faxton, playing a cosmetics industry tycoon, is equally sleek in her Donna Karan suede jacket and Fernando Sanchez lace strapless dress.

THE SOURCES: Strictly high-budget stores, from New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman, where Mirojnick bought many moderately priced private-label pieces, including Barkin’s gold sequined party dress. Los Angeles stores included Neiman Marcus, Fred Segal, Maxfield, Gallay and Tyler Trafficante.

THE PAYOFF: A strong fashion statement that’s part tart, part totally chic.