Review of Alpha Dog (2006) by Peter N — 19 Sep 2009

After viewing this film again, there really isn't anything groundbreaking about it. It's filmed in a pretty basic way, and the acting, while great at some points, is not terrific.

Surprisingly, Justin Timberlake does a damn good job in this film, and besides Anton Yelchin, pretty much carries the film. Emile Hirsch's portrayal of Johnny Truelove (real-life criminal Jesse James Hollywood) is good, albeit one-dimensional. I think this is more due to the screenplay than Hirsch's talents.

Anton Yelchin stands out most in this film, as he does a fantastic job of portraying all the sides to the character Zach. Furthermore, Ben Foster (who I think is one of the best character actors of the current generation) does a good job as a grounded, caring brother, yet somewhat insane druggie.

The two big name stars in this film, Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone, I feel are the two weakest links in the cast. They both did a decent job, but there was nothing special there. Granted, both characters have limited screen time, but it just felt like those performances could have been so much more than they were. Sharon Stone's final scene, as an older and heavier grieving mother, while heartbreaking is over-the-top.

The story of this film seems pretty basic at first glance, but is even more tragic knowing the events are true (or based on true events). Despite the tragic tale, and the despicable people depicted, there's something likable about nearly every character in the film (except for possibly Truelove/Hollywood).

Justin Timberlake's character is easily the most likable, except for Zach. He's the most caring in the film, and the most compassionate and honest with Zach (although he does lie to him in the end). The character of Elvis is someone else one can sympathize with, due to the fact that everyone in Truelove/Hollywood's crew treats him like shit. He's the kid that wants to fit in and will ultimately do anything to fit in, which is his character's downfall, courtesy of Truelove/Hollywood's manipulation.

Overall, I think the film tells a great and tragic story, albeit a bit underwhelmingly. But what the film lacks in style, it more than makes up for with generally good to great performances and a fantastic story, where shit hits the fan just as soon as things are going so well.