Submitted by cinemascope on Sat, 2007-04-21 15:42. :: Cinemascope 5
Movie title:
Alpha Dog
Starring:
Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Bruce Willis, Harry Dean Stanton, Sharon Stone, Anton Yelchin, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Foster
Directed by:
Nick Cassavetes
Written by:
Nick Cassavetes
Genre:
Crime Drama
Year:
2007
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Runtime:
2 hours 2 minutes
Imdb:
Rating:
Synopsis
Teenage LA drug dealer Johnny Truelove (Hirsch), owed money by psychotic crystal meth addict Jake Mazursky (Foster), kidnaps Mazursky's brother Zack (Yelchin) and leaves him in the care of pal Frankie (Timberlake). Zack has no desire to return to his dull suburban life, while good-hearted Frankie takes him under his wing, but the situation spirals out of control for all concerned.
Teenage LA drug dealer Johnny Truelove (Hirsch), owed money by psychotic crystal meth addict Jake Mazursky (Foster), kidnaps Mazursky's brother Zack (Yelchin) and leaves him in the care of pal Frankie (Timberlake). Zack has no desire to return to his dull suburban life, while good-hearted Frankie takes him under his wing, but the situation spirals out of control for all concerned.
Review
Ultimately a frustrating movie-going experience, Alpha Dog has scenes of great dramatic power and boasts strong performances from much of its cast, but some bizarre decisions - to bookend the movie with interviews after the events depicted, and an uneven narrative pacing - let things down in the end. Justin Timberlake gives the strongest performance of the movie as one of the high-living affluent LA teens who live out their lives as if in a rap video, and then have to face the consequences when their bluff is collectively called. The underrated Sharon Stone is excellent in early scenes as an overprotective mother, but bizarrely appears in an epilogue in a ridiculous fat suit more suited to Little Britain than a drama, undermining her earlier efforts.
Ultimately a frustrating movie-going experience, Alpha Dog has scenes of great dramatic power and boasts strong performances from much of its cast, but some bizarre decisions - to bookend the movie with interviews after the events depicted, and an uneven narrative pacing - let things down in the end. Justin Timberlake gives the strongest performance of the movie as one of the high-living affluent LA teens who live out their lives as if in a rap video, and then have to face the consequences when their bluff is collectively called. The underrated Sharon Stone is excellent in early scenes as an overprotective mother, but bizarrely appears in an epilogue in a ridiculous fat suit more suited to Little Britain than a drama, undermining her earlier efforts.
