Alpha Dog

THIS MOVIE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. Notice the capital letters? If you cannot tolerate a whole bunch of that one particular word that fills in for adjectives and adverbs, or girls being referred to as "bitches," rap music, or constant images of drinking and casual drug use and/or sex, this film is a big NOT FOR YOU. Which is not to say that I didn't find it interesting. But I have a high tolerance for bad adolescent behavior. I recently had adolescents.

What makes the film interesting is that it is based on an actual kidnapping/murder that happened in 2000. Nick Cassevettes wrote and directed and used the notes of one of the prosecutors and caused a bit of a stir since one of the perps had not been tried when the film was released (three others were already doing serious time.) hmmm. What makes the film troubling is the lifestyle portrayed very nicely by a swarm of young actors (Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Shawn Hatosy, Anton Yelchin.) Southern Californian disaffection is not pretty. The acting is very natural - Cassevettes had the boys weight train together for weeks to get that sense of homeboy. And as much as I hate to say this, Timberlake is good.

Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone manage some interesting moments as well. Yes, Bruce and Sharon. Weird little film for either of them. The inevitable conclusion is heartbreaking. And if you're interested, that angelic voice singing "Over the Rainbow" during the opening titles is Eva Cassidy. See the official website here.