This is a very hard movie to comment on. I would say for a first that some of the acting was particularly bad. This was particularly visible with the guys responsible for making slaves out of the prostitutes.I would not say that the movie was entirely badly produced but definitively, some part of the scenario did not make any sense whatsoever. Seems like the writers had a very difficult time making the whole thing evolve from the endless circle the girls were going through at the start.Though the movie relates to some of the very difficult things one can find in the world of prostitution, I really have the admit that it was really difficult and painful to watch. For most part, the film is dark and gloomy with very few glimpses of hope. I would have to guess that this is the brutal reality through which many girls go through.I guess this genre of movie has its kind of public but I would have to base my opinion on the latter and because of that could not enjoy the whole thing that much.

Review: I thought I would give this movie a chance, because I haven't seen a film with Michael Madsen for ages, and I can totally understand why! I won't blame him for this badly written "straight to DVD" movie, because his weird but wonderful acting skills were OK but it really seemed like everyone wasn't fully committed to the project. Its basically about a woman who goes away with a popular director, leaving her kid behind, to translate for him but the director ends up taking her to a prostitutes den, so she can work for a brutal pimp, played by Michael Madsen. As the director owes Madsen money, she has to work the debt off, against her own will, and she tries to escape but Madsen's henchmen always stop her in her tracks. They then try to use her in a snuff movie but she takes matters into her own hands and tries to escape from the disturbed weirdos. The acting is quite poor from the whole cast and the ending just didn't make any sense, whatsoever. Not that I was bothered! Madsen has really hit rock bottom and I doubt that a good Taratino movie will bring him out of this slump. Disappointing!Round-Up: This movie was directed by David Patricia, 37, whose previous movies, have all been for an Italian audience. I don't really know what the moral of this storyline was, or what point he was trying to get across, so it just seemed like a waste of time, in my opinion. The lady who ended up in those terrible circumstances, just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and the graphic scenes just showed how sick and perverted those individuals were. Anyway, I think you can tell that I didn't really warm to this movie, so it has to get the thumbs down from me.I recommend this movie to people who are into their drama/thrillers starring Danny Trejo, Michael Madsen, Daniel Baldwin and Mischa Barton. 1/10

I feel first ripped off by the plot description of the front page of IMDb for this movie. Can someone PLEASE fix it??? The first several words are true, but... what the hell? There are no wishes, magic lamps, etc. OK, I was sucked in and trashed thoroughly. Congratulations.There's forced prostitution, sex, nudity, and even lesbian themes, but there's also blood, violence, sadism, and darkest hopelessness.I give this one 3 stars only because it keeps your attention and the acting isn't the worst ever. Otherwise, I came out of watching this a little more depressed and filthy-feeling.Get over your self-congratulations for "emulating" real life, Hollywood. MOST of the time I go to see a movie to feel better coming out. Make me laugh, give me hope, have me cheering... for something or someone (other than a quick death for the supposedly main characters!).

Honestly, first I think HOPE LOST is another cheap flick with some B-Movie Stars (You know: Danny Trejo and Michael Madsen). But the surprise was big, very BIG, when I realize that HOPE LOST is far away from a cheap flick. In fact HOPE LOST is pretty good and delivers more as just sex and violence. From the beginning to the very bloody end tells the movie a good story and delivers some very deep and believable emotions. Main actress Francesca Agostini is great as Sofia, but the real show stealer is Alessia Navarro as a female client of Sofia with a war background – her strong performance is just WOW!!! And the stars? Everyone of the famous faces delivers also a good performance: Mischa Barton is very strong, Michael Madsen is very evil, Daniel Baldwin is very sadistic and Danny Trejo is very frighting. HOPE LOST is truly a great movie – highly recommended and so much better as many other movies out there!!!