Hush Your Mouth

Sometimes you see film, that stands out from the norm. This is one of them.

The film looks at a group of young Londoners from a rough neighbourhood struggling to make sense of the death of one of their group. - Darren Collins.

At the centre of the story are white working class teenager Leo (Jason Maza) Darren's brother and Leo's black friend Isaiah (Costhi Dowden). While Leo tries to find out the truth behind his brother's death Isaiah accused of the murder is rejected by the community.

I can't say too much about the plot - The story takes us on many intriguing twists and turns and it is the kind of film that if you stick with it will reward you. It has a surprisingly upbeat ending which is full of hope.

I really liked this film. It is intelligently written and superbly acted by the young cast. It is fresh and different.

Watching Hush your mouth just once certainly isn't enough. The film has a foundation of several individual stories which, intertwined together, cause the final result. Each of the individual stories have subtle touches that connect them to the others that keeps you guessing the outcome right up till it displays itself at the end. This had us thinking and discussing different points long after it had finished. I think knowing the outcome definitely requires a second viewing, if only to be able to pick up on the detail throughout the film to get a thorough understanding. The camera-work made it feel more real life, more 'documentary' style which transported you to feel more present during the film and ultimately more realistic.

I found this to be a highly lyrical piece of story telling. The director obviously has both an affinity and sense of compassion for his characters and actors.

The subject matter is not easy--and I have seen many approaches to same that do not work--this one does. The writer/director gives his central and ancillary characters true form and believable dialogue, a trick often missed when writers try to be 'urban' and end up ringing entirely false.

It is also interesting to follow the other work of the principal actors. They went on to work in other films of similar genre (apart from 'The Kite Runner')--but it is my opinion they did their best original work here.

I recommend giving this film more than one viewing, I have watched it three times and found something new each time--many layers and textures to be explored.

This film has great intentions but unfortunately misses the opportunity to deliver. And I really wanted to like this film!

The story starts well but loses it's way, slowing and getting lost down pointless cul-de-sacs that do nothing for plot or character development. It is the cinematic equivalent of speaking to someone with dementia - possibly a hammy old stage actor who has lost his noggin - the result is multiple repetition of core themes, with added train-of-thought irrelevances that leave the listener unsettled..

Light relief comes from a token black fella, dressed like middle England pastiche of how the impoverished black youth dress, you know, like a backing dancer from step up 2 with jaunty baseball cap hiding dreads. Also watch out for a comedy policemans moustache, possibly on free loan from the life on mars set, a slug relic from the 1970's that cheerily turns up to brighten some of the slower sequences.

I hope that the poor outcome doesn't put off the producer from continuing along urban dramas, London needs more of these !

Urban and gritty; Hush Your Mouth had me convinced and gripped. This film lends a proximity to London's violent gang culture that is uncomfortable, but absorbing viewing. It's potent stuff. It has all the usual themes of belonging, betrayal, and revenge, but it is delivered with Tyrwhitt's characteristic emotional depth. It is a stark reminder to young people that the price you pay to belong to this dark world is too high. The pace allows the story to unfold as you catch you breath. I think there are credible and convincing performances. You journey with these characters and along the way you sympathise with their reality. It was a moving and revealing look at London's gang culture.