NICOLE ALBERTSON
Staff Writer
“Alpha Dog” lives up to weak expectations as a mediocre drama that narrates the Hollywood version of the true story of an innocent youth used as ransom for his brother’s drug debt.
The film tries hard to prove its tough thug theme, but falls short with its unrealistic and unnecessary vulgar language and love scenes that lack chemistry. Director Nick Cassavetes, lacking originality, staged the movie with a stereotypical grainy film reflecting on the boys’ harsh lives, feeding every expectation of a tragic teen film.
The cast features Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, Justin Timberlake, and Amanda Seyfried, with supporting roles by heavyweights Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone.
When Jake Mazursky, played by Foster, finds himself in a $1,200 drug debt with dealer Johnny Truelove, played by Hirsch, Johnny kidnaps Jake’s younger brother, Zack, played by Anton Yelchin. But when the drug thugs realize the punishment for their crime — kidnapping with a ransom carries a minimum life sentence — they find themselves in far more trouble than they had expected.
Timberlake’s major acting debut was acceptable as he played Frankie, Johnny’s loyal best friend, often providing the comic relief, rational thinking and heart of the film. However, it takes considerable imagination from the audience to remove his ‘NSync boy-band image and accept him as a foul-mouthed pothead, covered in tattoos and caught up in criminal behavior.
The breakout performance of the film comes from Foster as he plays Jake, Zack’s older brother and the reason for his abduction. Foster is able to combine the irrationality and insanity of a drug addict with the care and compassion of a guilt-stricken brother. While his character is despicable and often strung out, his psychotic antics leave the audience wondering about the source for his anger and depression.
In one scene, Johnny Truelove channels the finale from the 2002 film“8 Mile,” starring Eminem, as he swaggers down the street stepping in beat to “Say Goodbye Hollywood” by the same rapper, a not-so-subtle metaphor to those who know the true story of Jesse James Hollywood.
“Alpha Dog” is loosely based on the true story of drug dealer Jesse James Hollywood and the abduction of 15-year-old Nick Markowitz in West Hills, Calif., in August 2000. Like in the movie, Markowitz was kidnapped and held ransom for his step-brother Ben’s drug debt to Hollywood. After more than three weeks of captivity, Hollywood offered Ryan Hoyt, 22, who also held a drug debt to Hollywood, the chance to erase it by killing Markowitz. Hoyt shot Nick nine times in the chest with a semiautomatic.
After the murder, all of the parties involved were arrested and found guilty for their crimes, except Hollywood, who fled the country and remained on the FBI’s most wanted list for four years. Hollywood was arrested in Brazil in 2005 and is now in California awaiting trial. Hoyt now sits on death row. Hollywood’s recent arrest raises controversy about the film’s release.
The making of “Alpha Dog” may strike an uncomfortable cord as the crime occurred fewer than seven years ago, and at just a 25 minute drive from Pepperdine. Some audience members may find it insensitive to dramatize the murder of an innocent boy while the family is still grieving his death.
While “Alpha Dog” is not receiving any Oscar whispers, it is a story that brings naive minds back to reality. It explores the underestimated ego-driven minds of distracted youths. Tears do not flow from the emotional or exceptional acting, but from the knowledge of its disheartening truth.
“Alpha Dog” should be seen as a cautionary tale for those who see life through rose-colored glasses. The theme to take away from this film is the reminder that tragedies happen, but as the more than 36 witnesses testified in trial, some tragedies can be avoided.
01-18-2007
