|
 |
Alpha Dog: How Did it Get so Far?
By Joshua Newsom, Editor
Opened on January 12, Alpha Dog, the latest film directed and
written by Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook, Blow), opened nationwide.
The movie stars Emile Hirsch (Lords of Dogtown, The Girl Nextdoor),
Justin Timberlake (Model Behavior), Bruce Willis (Die Hard), Ben
Foster (X-Men: The Last Stand), and Anton Yelchin (Hearts of
Atlantis).
The story is based off the real life
kidnapping of Nicholas Markowitz by Jesse James Hollywood and his
drug business partners and clients. The names and some of the plot
was altered in order to be able to legally put on the film.
The movie begins with a typical day
for 19 year old Johnny Truelove (Hirsch) and his crew, working out
in his garage and waiting for Johnny's latest drug money to come in.
But later that night, one of his workers, Jake Mazursky (Foster),
tells Johnny he can't pay the money that he owes him. A fight breaks
out and Jake tells Johnny that it isn't over (like every bad guy
movie before them). Jake later comes back to Truelove's house and
destroys everything. Johnny seeks revenge (again, another shocker)
and goes out to shank Mazursky. On his way to Jake's house, one of
Johnny's crew notices Zack Mazursky, Jake's little brother, and
Truelove comes up with the idea to kidnap him and hold him for
ransom. At first Johnny and his men are ruthless to the kid but once
Johnny leaves and entrust Zack in the care of his right hand man,
Frankie Ballenbacher (Timberlake). Frankie takes Zack to his dad's
house where there is a non-stop party where everyone comes to see
the "Stolen Boy". When Truelove finds out, however, that he could do
life in prison for this crime the story becomes more dark and the
fate of the kid is now tested.
The film as whole was overall
entertaining. It provided a unique sense of comedy, drama and
violence (including one of the best party fight scenes that reminded
me of Chuck Norris). What was most surprising was how well Justin
Timberlake is as an actor. He did not put on the persona of a gang
thug like the trailers perceived him to be but provided a good blend
of sensitivity and humor which fit his character very well. Anton
Yelchin played his role very well and made the audience care for him
as if they knew him. Barely in the film but a great part of the
storyline, Ben Foster delivered a great performance as a drug addict
to the point which the audience forgets that he is only acting. The
only real disappointment was Emile Hirsch who seemed mediocre in his
acting abilities and did not do the villain role any justice.
Despite second-rate acting by some of
the cast and some scenes that make anyone want to get up and get a
refund, the movie was quite interesting and I highly recommend it to
anyone who likes crime, action and drama films.
|
