By Hook or By Crook

In this self-proclaimed movie "about butches by butches," Shy (Silas Howard) ditches "his" small town after his father dies for the mean streets of San Francisco, where he rescues Valentine (Harry Dodge), who's getting the crap kicked out of "him" by a bunch of thugs. Thus begins a friendship between two marginalized misfits--both of whom are biological women living more or less as men--searching for something elusive in their lives. Sporting an extremely grainy digital video look, some of the scenes here are pretty ugly--technically speaking--and the punk-rock soundtrack grates at times like fingernails on a blackboard. With its unsubtle exploration of Shy's alienation (“I didn't know if I was a total loser or totally lost”), this earnest but esoteric co-directorial effort by the lead performers doesn't convincingly build enough interest or sympathy in its determinedly unusual characters. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include filmmakers commentary, interviews, and deleted scenes. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an unimpressive film.] (T. Rich)