Based on a true story, Alpha Dog is a cautionary tale of wannabe gangsters, sex, drugs, and violence. The story manages to hold your attention – even if the acting is a bit shaky from time to time.
The film was written and directed by Nick Cassavetes (John Q. and The Notebook) and stars a mixed cast of Hollywood veterans and new faces. The cast includes Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone, Harry Dean Stanton, Alex Kingston, Lukas Haas, Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Ben Foster, Shawn Hatosy, and Dominique Swain.
Cassavetes maintains a realistic urban feel to the film thanks to the cinematography by Robert Fraisse (Hotel Rwanda and The Notebook), and the film’s original music by Aaron Zigman (The Notebook and John Q.). Like many recent urban films (such as Harsh Times), the camera work and music aid the audience in believing what is on screen and help the film overcome some of its weaker moments. Cassavetes’ script is also grounded in reality (with harsh dialogue that doesn’t sugarcoat the characters), and the director makes sure to keep the chaotic tension in the audience’s face.
The film follows a group of friends that live in a party world where Johnny (Hirsch) is king. He is a wannabe drug dealer who thinks himself the next Scarface. His father has some ties with the criminal world and Johnny has put together a little gang of his own. Not quite hardcore criminals, they are more stoners who are always on the lookout for a good time.
Johnny likes to front that he is a hardcore drug dealer, but he is actually more of a poser who hides behind his friends and talks big. This is brought out when a drug deal goes bad, and a friend Jake Mazursky (Foster) becomes an enemy. Jake owes Johnny some money, and the two end up in a fight. The fight continues to escalate throughout the film and grows more violent. After Jake destroys Johnny’s house, Johnny makes an impulsive decision to kidnap Jake’s younger brother Zack Mazursky (Anton Yelchin).
Since Johnny doesn’t really know what to do with the kid, he dumps Zack off on his friend Frankie Ballenbacher (Timberlake). Not wanting to treat Zack like a hostage, Frankie shows the kid the “time of his life.” Zack gets to party with hot girls, drink as much alcohol as he wants, and smoke what seems to be an endless supply of pot. He goes to party after party with Frankie, and is even given the chance to leave if he wants. However, Zack doesn’t want to leave because he is having fun, and he doesn’t want to cause trouble for his older brother.
This part of the film (while a bit long at times) helps the audience start to like these characters – despite the fact they are basic street criminals. Like Zack, you start to forget the kid is kidnapped, and actually in a deadly situation. Cassavetes makes sure to keep the tension in the film - thanks to scenes where Jake is tearing through the nightclub circuit looking for Johnny and Johnny deciding how they will need to get rid of Zack. This also helps you not expect the film’s ending – which is a bit shocking even if you have an idea how it is all going to turn out.
While the film has some problems, Alpha Dog is enjoyable and features some decent performances from its young cast. Hirsch and Foster do a good job at playing opposites. While a drug dealer and a criminal, Hirsch comes across as a bit of a spoil rich kid who is playing make believe in the world of crime. He has seen Scarface one too many times, and fancies himself the head of a criminal empire. In reality, he is just a simple pot dealer with a rich daddy. Foster is a littler darker and much more intense. He too is a bit of a spoiled rich kid and is a junkie. However, he has an explosive temper, and is quick to violence. When the two clash, it is clear that Foster is the true criminal and Johnny is in over his head.
Although his acting ability is a bit lacking at times, Timberlake does an extremely good job at charming Zack and putting him at ease. He makes Zack (and the audience) believe this kidnapping is more of a joke, and there is nothing to seriously worry about. It is a good performance from the singer, and helps the film capture some emotional connection with what is happening to Zack. Sharon Stone also gives one of her better performances of late (redeeming herself a bit for Catwoman and Basic Instinct 2) as Zack’s mother – who spends most of the film as an emotional wreck.
The DVD is a little light on special features (I am sure a double dip “collector’s edition” will be coming at some point), and might disappoint diehard fans of the film. There is a behind the scenes look that features the actors, director and others involved in the movie. They discuss the movie; why they wanted to be in the film; what it was like on the set; and the importance of the story. There is also a witness timeline – which is interesting, but not really worth watching if you already saw the movie.
Alpha Dog is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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