By Hook or by Crook is a 2001 buddy drama film written, directed by, and starring Harry Dodge and Silas Howard. The story follows two unlikely friends as they commit petty crimes and figure out their places in the world. The film premiered at the 2001 Frameline Film Festival and went on to screen at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. It won multiple awards on the film festival circuit, including the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2002 SXSW Film Festival.

Plot

Shy, a transgender man, leaves his small town in Kansas for San Francisco after the death of his father. Along the way, he encounters Valentine, a quirky adoptee in search of his birth mother. An immediate kinship is sparked between the two men and they become partners in crime with Val’s lover Billie to stay financially afloat. The duo faces money troubles, emotional problems, and physical confrontations as they learn to trust and support each other in pursuit of their goals.

Cast

Production

The film is the directorial debut of both Howard and Dodge and was shot on mini DV. It was produced by Howard, Dodge, and Steak House of Steakhaus Productions. Carla Bozulich of the Geraldine Fibbers wrote the score for the film. The soundtrack also features a song that Carla Bozulich co-wrote with the Geraldine Fibbers, "Lilybelle", that was later covered by Kiki and Herb.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco on June 17, 2001. In addition, it screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. It was given a limited theatrical release on October 25, 2002.

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, By Hook or by Crook has an approval rating of 64% based on 14 reviews. Dave Kehr of The New York Times wrote the film "is, like its principal characters, a bit messy and maladroit but not without a certain charm", and "the humanity of the characters shines through, giving face and form to a subculture the movies have largely neglected". TV Guide described the film as "An appealing, if decidedly unconventional, buddy picture that seems to channel Midnight Cowboy (1969) while going its own quirky way."

Awards