Believe

This movie does for the MLM industry what Office Space did for corporate America, Spinal Tap did for rock and roll, Zoolander did for modeling, and Napoleon Dynamite did for High School nerds - it exposes the irony, hypocrisy and (in)sincerity involved in direct sales. Some people involved in direct sales will recognize themselves and others in this movie but disagree with the content and how it is presented. Others will see the "business" as depicted in this film and agree with what they see.

There is so much subtle humor in this film that it requires multiple viewings for a thorough appreciation. I found myself laughing so much I missed the next line. If you know anyone involved in one of these businesses you will see them represented in this movie.

If you are looking for light-hearted comedy, humor that builds and funny lines you will remember and use everyday - this is the film. This is an enjoyable and entertaining movie.

It is so funny . . . because it is so true.

Yes, it was high time someone did a movie skewering MLMs. This movie does it, though not as artfully or poignantly as we would have hoped. Mulholland touches upon all the aspects of MLM life and techniques. But in general, it feels like an amateurish production in all of its aspects. Acting, directing, cinematography, editing, they all feel amateur. Though Hoppe was certainly the right man for his role, he tried a little too hard to come across as a heel. Indeed, all the characters feel like exaggerations of the people you'll find in MLMs. But only slight exaggerations. These characters aren't rare loony flukes who stumbled into an MLM. They really are typical of the people you'll find in the field, though as I said, slightly exaggerated. And the exaggeration makes it not work as a mocumentary.

There's another huge problem with the movie's form. Real life MLMers would never allow an outside camera crew to film their exploits. There are far too many secrets given away here. That and the exaggerations make this an ineffective mocumentary. Too many intimate moments are filmed as if the camera crew wasn't there. That destroys its documentary feel. A skillful mocumentary would have fantastic comedic timing to make a point of the topic's absurdity (a la "Spinal Tap"). This movie's timing is way off, due to its amateur production. Though I must compliment the women who played the MLMers' wives, as they displayed their subconscious resistance to what their husbands were doing. Well done there.

As sheer comedic entertainment, this movie won't elicit any interest. I can understand why no major distribution company picked it up. But it might be acceptable to show a friend or relative who has approached you with an MLM opportunity, or if you'd like to know about MLMs yourself. Believe me, these things really do happen in MLMs, and people like this really are in the field, though they're not quite so ridiculous. This ultimately humorless movie serves as little more than a cautionary tale. It's very hard to make a hilarious comedy about a subject that has cost so many millions of people so much money and heartache.

As indie mocumentaries go (meaning anything not done by Christopher Guest) this is actually pretty decent. I think pretty much the entire planet can relate to this film. Who hasn't been hit up for one of these businesses?

The film has it's flaws but not many. It's obvious these guys did their homework before they made this movie because it's exactly what these MLMers are like! The movie flows and culminates nicely and it has a decent soundtrack. I think what stands out the most about this movie, besides its accuracy, is the acting. Wow! There's not really a bad one in the bunch.

If you've ever been in an MLM or wonder what the people are like then this movie is for you.

I think I finally found a way to get revenge on those people who have hit me up for their MLM pyramid scheme... buy them a copy of the movie and give it to them as a "gift". :)

Way to go!

I loved this movie! I saw it Summer 2005 at the Gloria Film Festival where it won the audience favorite award. I would love to see it again but it looks like they don't have a distributor yet. Please release this movie in theaters!!!!!!! I would pay to see it again and I'd get my friends to go and they'd get their friends to go and their friends.... Not to mention DVD sales. It's a keeper, if only I could get it.

The real-life testimonials in the movie were awesome. The storyline is funny. The actors do a great job.

See it if you get the chance. It's worth it.

I saw this movie at a local film festival and, to be honest, I wasn't expecting much. Usually, the films I've seen at festivals had something to be desired but I was completely surprised by this one.

I'm not much of an enthusiast for documentary film-making, but this one had a feature-film appeal. The opening scene was so perfectly done that I was captivated and drawn in, wondering what would happen next. The characters appeared very real to me; some were of the genuine down-to-earth type that I couldn't help but feel for them in their dire situations. Others were so fanatical and superficially vain that it made me laugh. Plus, each character's story kept me interested in them all the way to the end.

The pacing couldn't have been better. Each scene was very crisp and kept the pace of the film flowing smoothly. The dialog was real and thought-provoking; even quite hilarious at times. The cinematography was great--resembling how a documentarian would shoot his subjects with lots of closeups, capturing their facial expressions and nervousness. It was very entertaining to watch and just about every scene made me smile or chuckle.

Anyone who has ever been sucked in by an MLM or "get rich quick" scheme should see this film. It will make you a "True Believer," if you know what I mean.