Real Movie Review-Movie Reviews, Movie Quotes, Movie Trivia

Starring: Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Ben Foster, Anton Yelchin, Shawn Hatosy, Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone.

Director: Nick Cassavetes

This is an edgy crime drama that plays a little like a Snatch for teenagers, though it is certainly not up to those exalted heights. Cassavetes uses a fresh style and keeps the story going, while the young, largely inexperienced cast manages not to drop the ball. Some veteran actors are thrown into the mix, in smaller supporting roles. The result is a decent effort.

Emile Hirsch is Johnny Truelove, a suburban punk playing gangsta who soon finds himself in hard with Jake Mazursky, a crazed suburban addict/dealer with mad fighting skills. Truelove’s solution is to snatch Mazursky’s fifteen-year-old brother, Zach, played by Anton Yelchin. This plan is not thought through, though and, although the kid turns out to be a willing captive who doesn’t really want to go home, his crazy brother and the seriousness of the crime lead to some tough choices for everyone. Timberlake plays a member of Truelove’s crew and does a pretty good job. The story is engaging and original; though character motivations are not always clear, beyond being young and dumb. Oh well, since when does crime make any damn sense, anyway? This is apparently based on a true story, as well, which could help explain idiotic actions by the characters.

There is a fair evening’s entertainment here, but nothing spectacular. If the preview reeled you in, or if this review has peaked your interest, or if you are intensely following the career of Justin Timberlake, you will probably enjoy it.

One Response to “Alpha Dog (2007) ***”

1. Ondeo Degremont Says:
   July 16th, 2007 at 4:46 am

   Alpha Dog…

   Young Johnny Trulav (Hirsch) got pushed into the shadows Mafia Pope (Willis), and cultivated in a small band of sound mind monkey herd until its credibility ring is not questioned’60s evrey-bespredelschik Mazurski (Foster), first zazhilil , and after …