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By Hook or by Crook

Play trailer Poster for By Hook or by Crook 2002 1h 38m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
"By Hook or Crook" is a buddy film that chronicles three weeks in the life of a handsome, gender-bending, small-town butch with a nagging messiah-complex. Emotionally defeated since the death of her father, Shy heads to the big city to sink herself into a life of crime. She is quickly distracted by Valentine, a deliriously expressive, wise-acre adoptee on a misguided search for her birth mother. The two freaky grifters join forces and learn the true meaning of poise under pressure.

Critics Reviews

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Stef Rubino Autostraddle It’s a snapshot of what survival often looks like for people who are trying to make due with the scraps that are thrown at them from the oppressive systems that govern our world. Jul 9, 2024 Full Review Ren Jender Village Voice [By Hook or by Crook] has a topical resonance rare even in recent releases. Jan 17, 2019 Full Review Robert Koehler Variety For all of its outward appearances as a raw work of lesbian outlaw expression, Harry Dodge and Silas Warner’s “By Hook or by Crook” is really a corny old romance at heart, with almost all the attendant cliches intact. Aug 8, 2008 Full Review Moira Sullivan FilmFestivals.com It's a buddy movie, albeit the queerest buddy movie ever that makes Midnight Cowboy look tame in comparison. Rated: B+ Apr 23, 2003 Full Review Merle Bertrand Film Threat A weirdly compelling train wreck of a film that's as raw around the edges as its protagonists. Rated: 2.5/5 Dec 8, 2002 Full Review David Noh Film Journal International Three weeks may be the ostensible time frame for the plot, but sitting through this nauseatingly whimsical and pointless confection feels like a downright eternity. Oct 29, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member One of the best trans movies with heartbreaking performances by all, like Killer of Sheep, its brilliance is in part knowing that it is someone's first film. This means that in order to captivate the audience it has to entirely rely on explaining a context of the characters' reality all from within, which is a real feat of dialogue and a low-budget independent capacity. But I also was captivated by a sense of danger that seems to blend reality and fiction. Also, it should be said that not all movies have the added burden of being aware that as a film and the characters portrayed it may possibly be the only representation that a broader audience may see, and never un-see. This film makes you imagine what it might be like to care for someone who constantly breaks the law just for being who they are. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member I thought this was an average film. It's interesting how all the descriptions of this movie say this is about lesbians when it's really about transgendered individuals. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Not particularly good -- meaning navigable, remotely entertaining, pleasing to the eye -- it does, rather nobly, want to hip its audience to gender fluidity. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Low budget but good. I might even say groundbreaking. There's some pretty good quotes too. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member this is a quirky, low production value, community-centered, no nonsense, BUTCH film of everyday genderfucking brilliance. Touching, very hilarious, GREAT! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member i love love love this movie..valentine is my hero! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
By Hook or by Crook

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Cast & Crew

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Harry Dodge

Director

Silas Howard

Director

Silas Howard

Shy

Harry Dodge

Valentine

Stanya Kahn

Billie

Carina Gia

Isabelle

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By Hook or by Crook

By Hook or by Crook (2001) By Hook or by Crook (2001) By Hook or by Crook (2001) By Hook or by Crook (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis "By Hook or Crook" is a buddy film that chronicles three weeks in the life of a handsome, gender-bending, small-town butch with a nagging messiah-complex. Emotionally defeated since the death of her father, Shy heads to the big city to sink herself into a life of crime. She is quickly distracted by Valentine, a deliriously expressive, wise-acre adoptee on a misguided search for her birth mother. The two freaky grifters join forces and learn the true meaning of poise under pressure.
Director
Harry Dodge, Silas Howard
Producer
Silas Howard, Harry Dodge, Steak House
Screenwriter
Harry Dodge, Silas Howard
Distributor
Artistic License
Production Co
Steakhaus Productions
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 25, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.8K
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Stereo