A Kind of Hush

The idea of a vigilante gang of sexually abused teenagers reaping vengeance upon those who took advantage of them has all the elements of a Michael Winner movie. First-time director, Brian Stirner is still young enough to avoid the obvious and sincere enough to be unglamorous.

Stu (Harley Smith) is trying to escape the rent boy scene by working in a hotel kitchen. His mates are on the street, ripping off businessmen who pick them up and planning raids on their previous abusers.

If Winner was in charge, they would be cool and sexy and proficient in martial arts. As it is, they are disruptive, insecure and emotionally damaged - in short, untogether.

The film lacks the courage of its conviction and allows sentimentality to creep in. The performances are admirable, especially Smith and Roy Hudd, as the hotel chef. Winner would have aimed dead straight at the box office. Stirner tries to honour the spirit of Richard Johnson's novel and hands out a smidgin of hope with the hankies.