By Hook or by Crook (2001) User Reviews

Remember those names

[The Hoyk · 6/10 · 7 February 2006]

A good and trusted friend asked me to watch this with her, and I am very glad she asked me and that I did. Now that's going to sound funny when I go on to say that I don't think this movie really works, but stay with me. And keep in mind I'm an essentially straight male watching a film geared almost exclusively to butch lesbians, so my opinion may seem worthless anyway.

I'll start with the faults. It's crudely cut, paced too leisurely, and it's basically insular and a little too in love with itself; it's coasting on the charisma of it's lead characters to make up for the fact that there is little real meat to this movie. The story lines involving lost fathers and petty crime seem underdeveloped and tacked-on for the sake of having something, anything to drive what little plot there is.

But, the strengths begin front and center with Harry Dodge. You can't take your eyes off when Dodge is on screen, the presence is that magnetic. And the dialogue that's been created in tandem with partner Silas gets you interested in them. And yes, while I criticized the lack of solid ground for a story, the characters kept my interest throughout.

What I am saying here is that I felt a sizzle in the same manner that I felt when I saw the first works of Alison Maclean or Katja von Garnier, or what critics in the '50's felt watching the first Cassavettes or Godard. Like those early debuts, this film by itself is not accessible to a 'regular' audience, but the talent and potential is obvious and exciting, and as a viewer I become quite interested in seeing their next film. In fact, I think if I were a producer watching this, I would want to bankroll their next film the same way Mel Brooks took a gamble on David Lynch.

So yes, by my friend corralling me into watching this, I got to walk in on the ground floor of what should be an exciting film-making team. With the right balance of impulse and discipline, I think Silas Howard and Harry Dodge are going to create something big in the future.

The filmmakers should be very proud of their work

[MisfitDoll · 7/10 · 28 June 2002]

I was very impressed with this small, independently made picture. The story, about a pair of social outcasts who meet, become friends, and provide each other with a support system both seemed to lack as children, is at times hilarious, at times sad, but always provocative. Music, mostly by underground bands, was used to great effect, as was the experimentation with camera angles, filters, and slow or fast motion techniques. The performances (the leads are played by the writers and directors of the film) are some of the best I've seen in the last couple of years. If you ever felt like a square peg being forced into a round slot, I really believe you'll appreciate "By Hook or By Crook".

Thanks!

[steakhaus · 10 March 2005]

Thanks for all your great comments and most of all for watching our movie, it's always nice to see that people take the time to watch indie movies. what's even more astounding is that you've taken the time to make commentary. This is the stuff that keeps us going. OK that's all i really have to say, but IMDb is making me fill this up with 10 lines of text, so i'll carry on for a bit longer. All I really wanted to say was thanks, so i'll keep saying it over and over again. if your looking for another interesting movie about butches check out the shinjuku boys. i think that's about all for now. watch the movie and tell us what you think. i didn't vote for my own movie cuz i think it's a bit tacky, kinda like this posting.

Good, but Very Disappointing

[rainysng99-835-328606 · 4/10 · 26 February 2020]

I was very (very) disappointed to see male actors playing "lesbians" (presented ambiguously as cross-dressers / trans-men). Couldn't they find female actresses to play what are supposed to be female roles? Lesbians are same-SEX attracted females, nothing to do with their social "gender performance".

I picked up this movie because of the 'lesbian' tag, but I dont accept it is about lesbians, its about 2 male buddies, dressing up as Non-Gender Conforming (NGC) females. Thats fine in itself, and as such is a really well-made general human-interest buddy movie, and on that level I could enjoy it - Thats why I gave it as close to half-stars (or "pass-mark") as I could.

A delightful challenge to gender stereotypes

[benrobin · 10/10 · 14 November 2004]

I loved this movie from the opening sequence right through to the end. I found the director/ actor's style of directly addressing me/the audience very engaging.

What I found most exciting and refreshing about this movie was its ignoring -- and thus challenging -- of gender and class stereotypes. The idiosyncrasies of the characters are portrayed as strengths, and the absence of judgment -- and the characters' acceptance of themselves and each other -- enabled me to embrace them and allow myself to be drawn into their world. Without preaching, and with intelligence and gentle and loving humor, this movie has the power to open us to new possibilities, and offers hope for a world in which people see and accept each other as unique and precious individuals. I look forward to more offerings from this creative and talented director.

A wonderfully innovative butch buddy movie!

[jenniolson · 10/10 · 5 November 2005]

By Hook or By Crook is a tremendously innovative film from a pair of immensely smart and talented filmmakers, Harry Dodge and Silas Howard. They manage to tell an original story in a distinctive cinematic style, and it's beautifully shot by Ann T. Rosetti, and wonderfully written -- truly poetic.

The lead characters are true heroes and serve as a rare kind of role model/inspiration for butch dykes and trannies everywhere. This film has so much energy, so much poignant passion and scruffy San Francisco heart to it. I can't recommend it highly enough!

The best butch buddy movie of all time!

fairly impressive debut

[indietrash · 20 June 2003]

I didn't go out of my way to see this one but I found myself surprised at how interested I was in these characters. I found them very believable.

I suppose some sections may have appeared creaky or stiff. But those of us who are fans of indies, well, every now & then it's worth it to wait out the imperfect stuff.

My favorite parts of the movie were times in which not too much was going on - when the characters were just hangin' out talkin' well, trash.

I found at least one of Val's crazy musings fairly thought provoking.

And I was really impressed with how they decided to go with Sly's attempt to hold up a convenience store toward the end of the movie. That seemed -very- believable.

I dunno..I wish I could hang out with these two more. One hopes for further adventures...

More than anything tho, I was just glad they found each other. They make one hell of a team.

outstanding filmmaking

[weber2000 · 10/10 · 7 August 2002]

A great and truly independent film that hit most of my emotions and carried me into another world. Isn't this why we go to the movies? I was especially impressed with the editing and the music, the combination of which was very transportive.

Great dialogue

[roger_hart01 · 10/10 · 9 November 2003]

This low budget digital video film has strengths in the right places--writing and acting. In addition the digital photography is the best of the lot so far. In low light conditions the characteristic video umber tone prevails but, surprising, it rivals film stock for brightness, clarity, and, saturation in brightly lit situations. This is grass roots film making at its best with snappy dialogue carrying a "Midnight Cowboy" kind of story about grifters doing whatever it takes to survive in urban San Francisco.

Finally a cutesy lesbian flick

[saragrace17 · 14 January 2003]

My sister took me to see this movie at a local gay film fest this summer. She is gay and commented on the fact that there really weren't any films that dealt with gay females on a platonic level. This movie was heartwarming, cute, and funny. I love the part about "can you make us look like carpenters?" It shows the fabulous wit that went into the movies making. These women (who made the movie) set a powerful scene in motion. The people in it are so real, and the feelings are heartfelt. See this movie

good movie

[jlehmann-3 · 9/10 · 14 May 2006]

people claim its edited funny but they had to cut it down substantially in post production. i have harry as a professor right now at ucsd, and honestly its one of the best classes I've had, its rather funny to here about what happened in making the film cause harry is so animated. i originally watched "joy of life" for another class where harry did a voice over in the film, and started watching this film after i started the class. Harry originally did some performance work, and is really genuine about creating moments that move you, especially when you have to re edit things until you hit on that moment, but its something you see in this film.

Anstonishingly Amazing

[punksoup · 10/10 · 1 December 2006]

What is so taboo about love?! People seem to have major problems with the transgenered.

The title of this movie didn't catch my eye. It was a grainy shot about 4 minutes into the movie is what made me stop channel surfing. I could not believe how freaking amazing this film was. It touches on so many levels of human emotion that it did not once fail to move me in some way. It is by far one of the best independent films I have ever seen. I did not view these characters as either gender, just human. I would recommend it to anyone who loves movies. Especially independent films. Praise to all fearless filmmakers!

One of a kind

[fagboibug · 13 November 2004]

I find this piece amazing, one of the few portrayals of butch identity in film. It's a buddy story really, mixed a lil with road movie and a dash of coming of age story. The writer/director/actor team of Howard and Dodge prove their versatility and strength by bringing characters to life that are so marginalized out in the world. Also a great performance by Stanya Kahn as Billie: an awesome Fem character that deserves a whole movie of her own. Visually, this is one of the better digital films you will see from 2001. The soundtrack kicks. "A man's journey is but the search for the first great images that gained access to his heart."

One of a kind, highly recommended.

Why was this film even made?

[PeterMH · 30 August 2002]

Drag King lowlife drifter film had interesting premise but turns out to be one of the worst films ever made for the niche lesbian market. With the advent of cheap filmmaking equipment everybody thinks they're creative, but they're not. This film is like a Super8 film all kids make when they're bored during summer vacation.

Dodge and Howard Have you wanting more

[lthd · 30 April 2003]

great movie.. i caught it on sundance a good while back.. waiting for next month, then i can get it on its release. harry dodge is amazing.. i caught her on Cecil B. Demented. Check out By Hook or by Crook you wont be disapointed..