ALPHA DOG

"We'll get life"

When a drug deal goes wrong, Jake Mazursky (Foster) now owes Johnny Truelove (Hirsh) money but when he can't pay it and becomes overly aggressive towards him, Johnny decides to retaliate. Kidnapping his brother Zack (Yelchin), Johnny and his boys Frankie (Timberlake) and Elvis (Hatosy) will hold him until Jake pays up but what they didn't realise was that kidnapping is a federal offence with a life sentence in prison waiting for them.

The world of drugs and money lending has a powerful grip on all escelons of society but if someone owed a dealer money then they have to pay, wherever they come from.

Based on the life of Jesse James Hollywood, the youngest man ever to be on the FBI's Most Wanted List, writer/director Nick Cassavetes gathers together an impressive ensemble cast of up and coming young stars to tell this story of a kidnapping that goes tragically wrong. Changing the names of the characters involved but sticking to the main plot, the story of the death of Zack Mazursky will shock you and question the how middle class America can be just as violent as anything the ghetto has to offer.

Local drug dealer and moneylender Johnny Truelove, the son of connected man Sonny Truelove, is owed money by local drop out Jake Mazursky after a deal goes wrong. With $1,200 owed and Jake refusing to pay, Johnny decides to take action by kidnapping his younger stepbrother Zach. Holding him until Jake pays, Johnny and his crew keep Zach safe, showing him the time of his life by taking him to parties, introducing him to girls, drink and drugs but when his parents inform the FBI about his disappearance, kidnapping Zach becomes a federal offence and one that carries a mandatory life sentence. Backed into a corner and not wanting to go to jail for the rest of their lives, Johnny makes a decision that will change the lives of him and his crew forever.

Bringing this story to the screen are some of the best up and coming actors of the new generation. Emile Hirsch made a splash with his performances in teen sex comedy 'The Girl Next Door' and in skateboarding flick 'Lords of Dogtown' but the role of Johnny Truelove will bring him even more attention. The same can be said about Anton Yelchin, who is best known for his role in TV show '!Huff'. This is a role that will announce him on the silver screen and one that will push his career forward. Justin Timberlake continues to shuffle a pop and movie career with great success. His movie choices have tended to be smaller, character driven pieces, giving him the chance to develop his skills as an actor as well as a performer. There are also standout performances from the excellent Ben Foster as Jake Mazursky, Shawn Hatosy as the trod upon Elvis Schmidt, Olivia Wilde as Johnny girlfriend Angela, Chris Marquette as drugged up Keith and Amanda Seyfried as the one girl who turns Zach's head. Add to this, smaller roles for Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Harry Dean Stanton and you have a cast that does the story justice.

'Alpha Dog' shows that even suburban life in California can be just as dangerous as anything from the ghettos or ganglands of any American city. With middle class young adults trying to be modern day gangsters, with all the dangers and power struggles that come with it, this is an uncompromising look how everything can go wrong extremely quickly and with devastating results.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with a Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

A Cautionary Tale: The Making of Alpha Dog (11.32 mins)
Writer/director Nick Cassavetes, executive producer Butch Kaplan and stars Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Foster and Sharon Stone talk about bringing the true story of Jesse James Hollywood to the silver screen. The group talk about adapting the story, casting and the chain of events that led to the tragic events that took place. The cast talk about the themes of the movie and how the story and their characters affected them playing the roles.

Witness Timeline
Read the witness statements and watch their moments in the movie

Trailers
Previews of 'Breach', 'Children of Men', 'Smokin' Aces', 'Hot Fuzz' and 'The Hitcher'

OVERALL

With only a short featurette and a timeline special feature, fans will be a little disappointed with the bonus materials for 'Alpha Dog'. This is a movie crying out for commentary track, especially from the talented and young ensemble cast.

DVD

Brick

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2007