User reviews

Today out came a strangely compelling oddball, something raw, filthy, bleak, for some perhaps even repulsive, but on the flipside the filth actually has a heart, and style. I had no clue of what "mope" meant in the porn industry, but now I know, and not only that, also the true and seedy story behind "Mope" - a story the film stays quite true to, bringing to screen one of the possibly most grounded and pragmatic depictions of adult film industry.

"Mope" introduces us to the tragic story of Steve Driver and Tom Dong, two low-end porn actors that become best friends, and together seek opportunities and reach for fame, only to achieve infamy. Taking place in a physically and mentally seedy and otherwise deviant slice of this world, "Mope" feels confident and assuring within the confines of it. It's not an adult film though, in a sense that, despite being set in such universe, "Mope" is not an overly explicit flick. Having said that, it's not a movie to have somebody walk in on without proper context.

Steven is an enthusiastic young man with couple of troubles on his shoulders, and his absolute American dream is to become an adult film star, and Tom Dong is all up for it - therein lies the heart of this movie, in the process of a friendship, one that ends in tragedy. "Mope" starts on an uplifting note and stays quite fun and funny for at least half the runtime, though I imagine the subject matter could a big "if" for some, for one might feel the urge to take a shower after seeing this filthy flagship carrying some sleazy and homely men. "Mope" calls for empathy, but there isn't a whole lot of that in the society it presents - this is something that really depends on the viewer. The comedy factor, however, is inarguable, and it's rare when a movie of such mood ends on a note so bleak and depressing.

The seemingly nearly perfectly cast ensemble of actors do a great job and do not take away from the established authenticity of "Mope" - my personal highlights are Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as the energetic lead, and to many probably a seen face someplace, Brian Huskey, portraying the studio manager, writer, producer, director, the mighty leader. There isn't really a bad performance around, and if "Mope" hasn't been sold yet, horror fans might be pulled in by David Arqutte.

"Mope", by all means, feels and looks like a low budget feature, but once again, it seems to be the least of problems for B flicks nowadays. The camera work is decent, cinematography's easy to digest, easy to enjoy, and, small thing, but I personally like movies with no black bars nowhere. As for FX, there's one sequence of real violence, one that carries weight, and likely could've carried more of it if it wasn't shying away with so many cuts and close-ups.

Wether it's a story that needed to be adapted or not might be up for some discussion, but personally I enjoyed it, found it to a well-executed and odd mix of things, and actually compelling, so it is a 6/10 from me. This being director Lucas Heyne's full feature directional debut, I'm intrigued for what comes next, because "Mope" is a proof that the man knows how to find heart and substance in demanding scenarios.

I had low expectations for this film to be honest but as I watched, this had a good story and the acting were really good. The story moved clearly and all that needed emphasis had emphasis. It's such a shame that the ending had to be that way. I give it a 6.5/10

Now I was not aware of the term mope ... if you are it doesn't really mean one of us has issues. Whichever you may think that is. And anyone not aware will be getting quite the information about that term. These are people in the porn industry that most watching the content are not aware of. You can feel bad for them I reckon - the ones depicted here are a bit of an exaggaration of what Mopes are and what they do.

Having said that, the movie is not easy and takes turns that some may disagree with. And while this is not an adult film (nothing really explicit is shown), the situations overall are quite adult as you can imagine. Nothing for the squeamish then and nothing for those who may have issues (identifying) with our two male leads ... everyone else will be stunned, if not really entertained (which is a weird thing to say, I know)

A helpful warning for anyone finding this in the "Comedy" section of a streaming service like I did.

As a drama, this is movie has a lot of promise, and a strong directorial debut, but I'd definitely consider it a drama with comedic moments, and not a comedy. Overall this is about as comedic as Requiem for a Dream, with a similar descent into the personal hell of the characters that never turns around.

Without giving spoilers, I wanted to include that one of the sex scenes contains graphic non-consensual moments, with the woman visibly upset. I'm leaving this as a very generic description so people can know what they're getting into when watching this movie.

I love movies with dark material, and don't want to dissuade anyone from watching this, I just want to put a warning out there in the reviews for anyone coming into this expecting it to be a comedy, so people know what they're getting into.

Don't be misled. If you you think you just chose a light hearted comedy you will be disappointed. Even though it wasn't my kind of movie. (It was very disturbing and gross.) I have to admit it was actually a pretty good but also very intense movie full of emotional triggers. -6.5 rating

I really feel I have to give this a 6.5 on here. In some ways it was quite interesting to me, and I feel some things were well captured here. However this film is certainly not for everyone, in fact not nearly everyone. It is a true story that claims to have kept the story as authentic as possible. Some may know by now that I'm big on films that duplicate reality in a very believable way. For the most part, this film is quite believable, as extreme as it is. Not every scene feels 100% authentic, but overall they did a fairly good job in this area. Aside from having some interesting aspects, it also has some pretty hilarious moments here and there. Overall however it is a pretty bleak and sad story that involves a person with mental health issues. The story itself however is really not all that bleak until near the end. If you have some interest in it, I would definitely suggest giving it a watch.

6.5/10.

Seriously, it's just not good. Yea, there's some jokes here and there, made well and all, but is this really worth 90 minutes of your life? No

It was one of those watch while I am on the computer doing some work kinda movie but as the movie progresses got me intrigue of the story and the physique of the main characters and the challenges of pursuing that dream and ambition in adversity to the past grim occurrences. Brian Huskey was thrilling putting us through some uncertainty in his character during the course of the two ambitious yet naive men's journey. A good watch but the end was a surprise but yet expected.

Think 'student film.' That's the key to figuring this out. A showcase for low budget filmmakers and actors, with a message about the destructiveness of mental health problems and the elusive attempts to surmount them with hope and effort.

As someone who has been a performer in the adult film industry for 11 years now, and someone who unknowingly had my toes dipped in the "mope" pool in my first couple of years in, I can attest to the fact that the makers of this film either A. Were involved with the adult industry themselves at some point, or B. Truly did their research, because everything from the terminology used, to the tone of these sets and the way people are treated and spoken to, to the progression of how things occur, were all nearly 100% accurate. Plus, about 50% of the cast was made up of actual XXX industry people and that added to the legitimacy of the vibe as well.

Perhaps it is because I have been in similar shoes and experienced some of these themes myself in reality, but I didn't really perceive the film as a comedy at all, and honestly comedy is generally a whack genre - this movie has more merit than that. It is very effective as a jarring, bleak re-telling of a tragic real life story, which should be considered this film's primary purpose anyhow - it's a solid drama and it's will make you feel like you need to take a shower afterwards, exactly as it should. This is a very dark, very real pocket of reality that most people have no idea exists - and this is the only film that's ever been made about it, so it deserves credit for doing it loyally.

It was my first impression of lead actor Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and he definitely steals the show, selling a very unique character that somehow manages to be incredibly complex and incredibly simple at the same time. At first he just seems naive and dumb, but as the film progresses you learn there is a lot more going on with him psychologically - this is one of the most impressive aspects of the film - it's very well written and VERY well acted, with great intensity. Familiar face Brian Huskey also puts in a very memorable, and relatively striking performance as their "boss", in a sense. The smaller role from David Arquette was a welcomed surprised and he ANNIHILATED his role too - Level 100 jerk, fully sold.

I do think one of the ways the film could have improved overall is by trimming off a bit of the fat in the edit, but otherwise the film flows very well. I think it's directed, shot, and edited very tastefully. I was impressed. The film also has some really great original music on the score by Jonathan Snipes of the group clipping, which I will be adding to my Spotify playlists.

Now, not everyone will be able to handle or appreciate this movie, considering the subject matter and the tone which is strictly in the realm of seediness and grime. There are only two scenes that are truly set to repulse those who don't have a head for perversion or a stomach for large amounts of bodily fluids, and one of them is the opening scene. But, know that most of the movie is nothing like the opening scene - however, it is the most appropriate and necessary way to open this film, 100%. All in all, a lot of people who don't realize how real this seedy underworld is are gonna think this is some try-hard trash film, but the truth is it's an important document eternalizing some niche history dealing with a bizarre and primarily unknown shadowy corner of contemporary U.S. culture.

An improbable boogie night cheap and grotesque version adapted from a real news item. Not too badly screwed up overall, despite a film with a strange premise, you can watch it.

Two friends, Steve Driver and Tom Dong, are lowest-rung actors in the porn industry. However, they are highly ambitious and are willing to do anything to further their careers. After they get what appears to be a big break they seem set. However, it's not quite the career-turning event they were expecting and, moreover, Steve is constantly holding them back.

I was reasonably intrigued by the plot as the movie is apparently based on a true story and it appears that the film builds to something quite big. It does build up to a reasonably powerful ending but getting there is a bit of a grind (in many ways).

From the start it's apparent that the film is decidedly B-grade: low production values, poor performances, weak dialogue. The low production values probably suit the subject as the film certainly doesn't glamorise the porn industry, making it dirty and sordid, which it is. It does give the whole thing a very cheap look though.

In addition, for such a titillating subject the film is quite dull. It's only the last few scenes that make it interesting.

3 minutes of this was more than enough. I'm not wasting my time on this utter crap. The only interesting thing was the cover.

What i see in this movie is someone with anger and mental problem, just a moron taking his job not good with all his emotional on his face. Nothing worth this movie.

This was a decent little film and based on a true story. Sure the production value may be a little on the cheap side but probably had to be in the times we living in right now where it seems as though every film is made with a ticklist these days.

The story of 2 friends trying to get their foot into the Porn Industry but all goes horribly wrong.

This is the first film in ages I've actually laughed at and found funny. No comedies seem to be really getting made these days which is a shame. I'd say half the film was comedy and half serious. Recommend the watch as the acting was actually pretty good.

Not a story I was aware of. Well acted, probably cut down a bit for time like most films. The key characters are reasonably well explained, perhaps one fringe character isn't, but they are being used for effect. It's done well, but moves fast towards the finish....which makes sense considering the mental health of the main character.....it doesn't dwell on the stuff that is thrown in to pad it out. Also I like that it doesn't create overly sympathetic characters, nor monsters. It's not a faithful to every detail biopic, it's going for a feeling of what happened and possibly why it happened

This is the true story of Steve and Tom, who become best friends and attempt to get into the porn industry together. Instead, they meet a director (Eric) of BDSM fetish films, which are popular online. Eric sees potential in Tom, but, like everyone else, notices Steve has issues, including bad hygiene and immaturity. But, Tom says they're a package deal. The film further explores the friendship of Tom and Steve. The cast of actors were believable and felt genuine. It's rare to see such great acting in a low-budget film. Prior to watching, I saw a scene from this movie where a girl is dressed as a cheerleader, and she kicks the Eric, Tom, and Steve between the legs. I thought it was a great scene and wanted to see the rest of the movie after. The movie just made me sad, though. I didn't know it was true until looking it up halfway. Meanwhile, BDSM is highly ridiculed in society and looked at as a joke. People who are into it are called "perverts," and most are, but everyone is really a pervert in different ways. I was hoping for a film that explored BDSM on an educational aspect, but that part of the film was undermined by the true story of Tom and Steve and what wound up happening at the end. It's strange that in this world, people can accept sharing toilets, anal penetration, and changing genders, but if someone likes it when a woman kicks him between the legs it becomes a joke. I think everyone should be respected and treated equally. This film did not explore that. Instead, the BDSM factor is viewed as a joke and people who like it are seen as strange perverts. I agreed with Eric, who viewed BDSM as a form of art that is underappreciated. If you wanted to watch it for the BDSM factor, you're better off with the one scene with the cheerleader. Nothing else related happened in the movie, and even in the cheerleader scene had sad and depressing music playing in the background. The rest of the movie is just about Tom and Steve, and the direction makes BDSM look horrible and strange.

I hate to be A douche A douche and point out the obvious but I'm surprised at the casting of the protagonist. He looks NOTHING LIKE STEVEN CLANCY HILL! Though I find the film to be 7 out of 10, overall, I was distracted by the lead actor and the choice casting made to hire him. The real SCH was actually biracial and possibly on the "spectrum" (my opinion). This story is so sad because SCH had a lot of issues any and everywhere he went. He was not particularly GOOD at anything and never managed to really fit in ANYWHERE! It is heartbreaking to not even be good at the thing you're most passionate about... Especially if that's something as seemingly simple as SEX!!!

You have never seen this movie before. It's original, funny, sad and the best film I've seen in my 5 years at Sundance.

It's this strange combination of drama and comedy, orchestrated so methodically that it leaves me wondering how it could be better.

The acting was amazing, the score was amazing, the directing was amazing. Most importantly, the scenes were so impactful. During the survey of the studio I was laughing so hard I could barely hear what they were saying. During the pitch to Steve's father I was so distraught that I couldn't help but appreciate how human the characters where. During Tampa's sex scene I was angry and sad. No matter what the scene, I was fully engaged - and loved every minute of it.

Hands down the best film AND experience I have ever had at the Sundance Film Festival in my past 5 years attending.

IMDB lists this movie as a Drama, and I would have to disagree with that primary label. While it does tell the dramatic true story of 2 low end porn actors, mope's as they are called in the industry, this movie is very much in a unique genre of comedy and drama, in its' own right.

Throughout the film I found myself laughing so hard, that at times I was crying and almost had to step out of the theater, as the comedic situations and dialogue were too much to take in. The film's fantastic pacing and approach to its unique genre allowed for the story arc to perfectly transition from that of a comedy to a drama. As the film approached its climatic and very dramatic ending, I was in awe that I could find myself empathizing with the character of Steve Driver, when merely 20 minutes ago I was outright laughing at his quest and approach to situations he would find himself in.

While watching, you can't help but laugh at the situations the two main characters find themselves in, as well as their devotion and dedication to their 'craft'. The serious demeanor of the characters, in their absurd and degrading positions within the industry, pushes the viewer to root for them in their plight for fame, while also pitying them at the same time. The motivation by both Steve Driver and Tom Dong is admirable, even if what they are seeking is downright degrading and laughable. The film provides a perfect mixture of both absurd comedic situations and dialogue, as well as the dramatic humanization of the characters as they interact with family, friends and crack whores about their hopes and dreams.

After the film ended, even the Q&A with the director was hilarious to listen to. One viewer asked; 'why there weren't more dick's in the film', stating that the director seemed to have more female body parts shown than male, at which point the director answered: "You want more dicks? I can add more dicks" and then proceeded to take a poll from the audience asking whom among us wanted more dicks to be added to the film, with everyone's hands promptly being raised.

I really hope that this movie gets a wide release soon, as I cannot wait to see it again in theaters. And along with the Sundance audience's demands, hopefully with more dicks this time.