VERGIL BLISS 1/2

An ex-con and a hooker.

Running time: 93 minutes. Not rated (sex, violence). At the Two Boots Pioneer Theater, Avenue A and Third Street.

A LIFETIME criminal named Virgil Bliss has just been freed after 12 years in state prison.

He’s determined to go straight, but it’s not easy.

First Manny, his roommate in a halfway house, tempts him with porn and liquor.

Then Bliss uses the services of Ruby, a $10-a-trick druggie streetwalker – and instantly falls in love with her (or so he thinks).

He gets a job as a janitor and moves in with Ruby. But their version of family life is not to last.

Director-writer Joe Maggio’s low-budget indie “Virgil Bliss” contains all the clichés of the post-prison genre – but it has some redeeming qualities.

Foremost are the realistic performances of Clint Jordan – a real-life ex-con – as Virgil, Kirsten Russell as Ruby and Anthony Gorman as Manny.

The jittery hand-held digital-video camerawork adds to the gritty feel.

Maggio dedicates “Virgil Bliss,” his second feature, to Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and John Cassavetes – three filmmakers whose influence is reflected in the look and the feel of the film.

Too bad Maggio couldn’t come up with a better script.