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January 19, 2007 > Arts & Entertainment > Despite realism, Alpha Dog belongs in the dog house

Despite realism, Alpha Dog belongs in the dog house

By Chethana Biliyar | For the Thresher

Although Alpha Dog seems to avoid the emotional drama one would expect from a tale based on a real-life kidnapping and murder mystery, its much-criticized focus on flashiness and superficiality comes surprisingly close to exposing viewers to reality.

The film opens with a cute flashback scene focused on what one presumes to be the main characters, running through the neighborhood streets of their childhood — so happy, so carefree, so innocent.

20 years later, the story takes off. Although the leader of a circle of generally rich, drug-dependant Southern Californian twenty-somethings, the charismatic Johnny (Lords of Dogtown’s Emile Hirsch) is not happy. His former ally Jake (Hostage’s Ben Foster) has failed to pay a debt on a recent deal. Jake’s drug addiction and generally irresponsible behavior have interfered with both of his jobs — on the streets and in the cubicles.

After Johnny and Jake have a series of relatively minor fights, Johnny searches for the ultimate retaliation. Jake’s younger brother Zack (House of D’s Anton Yelchin), conveniently embroiled in angst-ridden adolescence, finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes the target of Johnny’s wrath. Johnny’s goons decide that kidnapping Zack would be a great adventure.

Over the next few days, each of Johnny’s allies gradually become attached to Zack’s wannabe thug character. Meanwhile, Johnny’s cohort Frankie (Edison’s Justin Timberlake), introduces Zack to a new life of sex, drugs and rap music.

As time goes on, the number of witnesses to Zack’s abduction rapidly increases, and Johnny realizes the consequences of the kidnapping. A tale that has primarily focused on the loss and gain of material ple asure suddenly takes a more somber turn, as the final clash between innocence and depravity reveals a shocking end.

The film’s casting is impressive on a whole. Scenes are admirably executed, and each line — the sarcastic, the ridiculous, even the occasionally emotional — is well delivered. Timberlake is a stand-out, skillfully portraying a surprising array of feelings.

Despite the actors’ skillful execution, the lack of development and depth in many of the characters is disappointing. The complete motivations of Elvis (A Guy Thing’s Shawn Hatosy), Johnny’s ultimate lackey, go largely unexplained. Zack’s brother Jake, the original cause for the Johnny’s vendetta, is completely forgotten over the course of the film. Female characters play superficial roles, primarily functioning as eye candy and/or sex objects. The characters’ lack of depth prevents the film from being as realistic as it could be — an amazing feat considering it is based on a true story.

Alpha Dog and the real-life crime that inspired it are surrounded by a great deal of controversy. Johnny’s character is openly based on Jesse James Hollywood, who was recently arrested for the kidnapping and murder of a teenaged boy. The film is criticized for its potential to bias jurors against Hollywood. Under such circumstances, it is tricky to depict the man on whom Johnny’s character is based in an innocent light.

The legal controversy is not the only problem with Alpha Dog. Director Nick Cassavetes forces the plot in a predictable direction throughout the film. It becomes the tale of spoiled, rich youngsters with too much time on their hands and too little parental guidance. They listen to rap music and therefore society does not expect them to have a strong moral base. The basic message of the film is illicit power corrupts.

Perhaps the plot is predictable precisely because it is realistic. However, its predictability prevents the movie from being seen as a revolutionary work of art.

Alpha Dog is an entertaining film. The script and cast of characters are surprisingly good and the action is well-executed. Unfortunately, the predictable storyline and even more predictable conclusion prevent it from getting serious acclaim. But in a twisted way, its relatively superficial stance on a serious issue is a more accurate representation of reality.

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