Okay, I was not prepared for how good this movie was.
It was not only "good," but vicious and derailing all at once. I have not seen so much debauchery in a film about teens since "Kids." That was not meant to entice, but to warn.
Nick Cassavetes has taken familiar teen-angst themes and put them on fast-forward to the point of sending most of us reeling. This film has more sex, drugs, and violence in it than any movie I have seen in a few years, save your average Tarrantino or Scorsese picture.
The first two minutes of this movie alone spat out more F-bombs than I could deal with, but I pressed on. I am glad I did.
The acting was phenomenal thanks to veterans like Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis and promising newcomers like Justin Timberlake & Co. I was pleased to see familiar faces such as the endearing Six Feet Under cast member, Ben Foster, who has shown us his best work through this film. The cast is also peppered with grown-up kid actors from popular 80's/90's movies, i.e. Emile Hirsh, Shawn Hatosy, and a brief appearance by Lukas Haas.
To give a nod to Justin Timberlake's performance, he was more funny than fierce, but there is one scene in particular where his acting touches your heart. His was the most diversified character in the film, never ceasing to surprise the audience with his versatility as a fledgling actor. I look forward to seeing more from him.
It was not only "good," but vicious and derailing all at once. I have not seen so much debauchery in a film about teens since "Kids." That was not meant to entice, but to warn.
Nick Cassavetes has taken familiar teen-angst themes and put them on fast-forward to the point of sending most of us reeling. This film has more sex, drugs, and violence in it than any movie I have seen in a few years, save your average Tarrantino or Scorsese picture.
The first two minutes of this movie alone spat out more F-bombs than I could deal with, but I pressed on. I am glad I did.
The acting was phenomenal thanks to veterans like Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis and promising newcomers like Justin Timberlake & Co. I was pleased to see familiar faces such as the endearing Six Feet Under cast member, Ben Foster, who has shown us his best work through this film. The cast is also peppered with grown-up kid actors from popular 80's/90's movies, i.e. Emile Hirsh, Shawn Hatosy, and a brief appearance by Lukas Haas.
To give a nod to Justin Timberlake's performance, he was more funny than fierce, but there is one scene in particular where his acting touches your heart. His was the most diversified character in the film, never ceasing to surprise the audience with his versatility as a fledgling actor. I look forward to seeing more from him.
As equally plot-driven as it was a study in character development, Alpha Dog had me in a state of suspense all the way through. The core of the film lies in the audience's witnessing of the corruption and ultimate destruction of innocence; it was, at times,a heart-breaking display.
All in all, my hope is that this film is only a warning to, not a reflection of the current generation of teens who find themselves immersed in an MTV-saturated culture and party-lifestyle. I do know that the film was based on a real story and investigation that took place in Los Angeles in the 1990's; the movie made that clear. Whether you choose to see this film or not, is your call, but be warned; it is not for the sensitive at heart.
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