ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW — ** 1/2 — Miranda July, John Hawkes, Miles Thompson; rated R (vulgarity, profanity, brief sex, nude artwork); see Page W2 for theaters.

"Me and You and Everyone We Know" features an act of self-immolation, an act of self-affirmation and some of the most selfish, self-involved characters in recent memory.

The dark comedy-drama also features scenes of sexually active teens and children — including one in which a kindergarten-age boy (unwittingly) has a conversation with an adult in an online "chat room." That scene alone is probably enough to turn away most audiences.

And yet, for those who can get past that — which, admittedly, is asking a lot — it's an oddly affecting piece that manages to say something about isolation and loneliness in its own peculiar way.

The film serves as an off-beat introduction to writer-performer Miranda July, who wrote, directed and stars in it as Christine Jesperson, a would-be artist struggling both professionally and personally.

While she works on her artistic "opus," she's loaning herself out as "Elder Cab," transporting nursing-home residents on various errands. It's on one of those trips that she meets Richard (John Hawkes), a recently separated shoe salesman.

And while they play a little game of romantic cat-and-mouse, his sons, teenager Peter (Miles Thompson) and wise-for-his-young-age Robbie (Brandon Ratcliff), are getting their own introduction to the world of love and lust.

They've become mixed up with a pair of sexually adventurous girls (Natasha Slayton and Najarra Townshend) and a young neighbor, Sylvie (Carlie Westerman), who already has her wedding planned out.

The low-key tone closely recalls the works of indie filmmakers Todd Solondz and Hal Hartley (right down to the persistent, sometimes intrusive musical score). And July's quirkiness, both in terms of the material and her performance, can be a bit much.

But when it works, it's refreshingly original and perceptive. And there's something appealing about July's pairing with Hawke (from HBO's "Deadwood"). The youngsters are very good as well, especially Ratcliff.

"Me and You and Everyone We Know" is rated R for crude humor about and references to sexual and other bodily functions, as well as other frank sexual talk, scattered use of strong sexual profanity, a brief sex scene (done for laughs), and glimpses of nude artwork. Running time: 90 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com