and murder of a 15-year-old West Hills, Calif., boy, the movie doesn’t shy away from exploiting the sex and drugs quotient that comes with a tale of spoiled rich kids in Southern California. Even so, director Nick Cassavetes (“The Notebook”) knows how to spin a yarn, and “Alpha Dog” turns out to have as much bite as bark.
Dope dealer Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch) blows a fuse when an associate, Jake (Ben Foster), fails to pay up on a $1,200 debt. In turn, Johnny and his posse kidnap Jake’s easygoing kid brother (Anton Yelchin). The incident spirals out of control for a bunch of not-so-bright thugs who fancy themselves more streetwise than they are.
Cassavetes employs an interesting, quasi-documentary approach that is buoyed by a talented young cast. A surprising standout is Justin Timberlake as Frankie, Johnny’s underling, given the task of watching their affable hostage. The guy shows serious acting chops.
“?Phil Bacharach
This article appears in Jun 20-26, 2007.