Alternately impressive and enervating, this cleverly crafted film adaptation of a talky play by Tom Walmsley, written by the playwright, opens up the action for its two principals, estranged siblings who reunite to fight, dig up old business, and dabble in mutual taboo-smashing.

A Problem With Fear) and Jacob Tierney (who also directed a barely distributed Billy Bob Thornton flick called Twist) star as Montrealers called Noel and... Well, he's never really named, but maybe it's something equally Chistmassy.

The brother's been away, or in jail or something, for a while, and sis has been reduced to turning tricks for drug money. Now that he's back in town and taking up floor space in her crappy apartment, maybe he can help her make some extra bread by providing a regular client with the threesome he's been yammering for. Or does the client even exist? Whatever. These kids have a pretty strange relationship.

Director Jerry Ciccoritti and cinematographer Gerald Packer, who shot the thing in several long takes over four days, find plenty to look at in the one-set location. (There are split-screen and other effects to keep up the visual interest.) And there's some courageous acting throughout. But there's finally less than meets the eye, and Hampshire leans too heavily on lip-biting, sighing, and tired Valley Girl ejaculations. In a season full of big movies and bad news, who needs more Blood?