The subject of male gigolos has been touched before in the film-world, but with a wide "comedy" brush (Deuce Bigalow). The Gigolos takes a new approach, removing the teenage smirks and focusing very closely on the human aspect of the vocation.

The film follows Sacha, a confident gigolo whose main clientele are older women, and Trevor, Sacha's aide. The gigolo trade is merely a backdrop for an intimate study of relationships, not only the reciprocal cure for loneliness between Sacha and his clients, but also the intense dependency between Sacha and Trevor.

The film is completely improvised creating an incredible sense of realism, which is matched by the almost documentary style of direction. First-time director Richard Bracewell often keeps the camera out of the action, peeping through doorways or peering out of windows with the characters. It's all very understated, the plot slowly creeping forwards with occasional bouts of humour, particularly the guys' inevitable falling out resulting in competition, and Sacha's inability to care for himself without Trevor, (he has to resort to ordering in for breakfast, bless).

At times the film is perhaps too sedentary, and there were missed opportunities to explore the themes of loneliness and relationships even further. But it's a bold effort for a first film, and a fascinating mixture of style with subject matter. It'll be interesting to see what this team come up with next.