Butch Jamie

Get ready for some gender-bending comedy as director Michelle Ehlen, brings the comedy Butch Jamie to DVD this month. Ehlen, who also wrote the film and stars as the lead, Jamie Klein, debuts in her first acting role in a feature-length film. The character of Jamie is an out-of-work, lesbian actor desperate to land the perfect role in the competitive movie capital of Los Angeles. Jamie endures the relentless hassle of dolling herself up in heels and wigs for countless auditions until she realizes that it is not getting her any jobs. Even her roommate, Lola (played by Olivia Nix), has a cat that gets more gigs than Jamie.

After yet another rejection, Jamie puts a twist on her audition routine and decides to just be herself, who happens to be way more "Butch Jamie" than all of the make-up and heels. This twist works well as she quickly lands a call back and eventually a role in a film. However, what Jamie doesn't realize is that the role is for the leading man, not lady. The film's producers want Jamie to become 'Male Jamie' and to arrive on set each day as a man. Jamie initially takes offense to the offer but ultimately takes the part, hoping that it will lead to her big break.

The story follows Jamie to the movie studio, as her gender-swapping frustrations slowly melt away and she becomes more comfortable in the role. When Jamie meets Jill (Tiffany Anne Carrin), a studio coworker, she invests further in her male persona. Jill, a straight woman, becomes interested in Jamie and begins flirting both on and off the set. This dynamic between the two puts yet another spin on an already complicated, but fun, plot.

"Butch Jamie" is entertaining as a comedy, but also gives insight into societal gender roles and how often they blur with one another. The film also addresses the prevalence of individuals' discomfort with gender-bending, exemplified by the fact that Jamie keeps her alter ego a secret from even her roommate. Ehlen's role as Jamie has been described as a modern day "Tootsie" for a whole new generation.

The film originally debuted in July 2007 and is now available on DVD. Already, Ehlen's efforts have paid off as her film has received acclaim, garnering the Jury Award for "Best Narrative Feature" from The Chicago Reeling Film Festival, the Jury Award for "Best Female Feature" from The Long Island G&L Film Festival and Outfest 2007, and the Grand Jury Award for "Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film" for Ehlen's acting performance.