Alpha Dog Let Down or Legendary?? by Anna, Susan and Little G
Justin Timberlake makes his acting debut in the acclaimed film Alpha Dog proving that he can not only sing, but act with some of the best in Hollywood (like Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone).
Anna says:
Yes we love Justin. But what was going on with the rest of the cast? Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone bring credibility but to what? Is this a comedy? Not wanting to take away from the true story at the core of this film, and the tradegy of a kidnapping gone wrong, nor the stella!! appearances made by Justin and some of the cast but….
Somewhere along the line or perhaps even during the script writing process this true story got a little lost in translation! Serious moments became comical, actors randomly stepped out of character at key moments, and it seemed a lot like Justin trying to be Eminem who we haven’t caught a glimpse of since 8 Mile or 9 Mile or whatever mile it was that he tried to pitch the hard luck story of a white rapper in a black neighbourhood. Oops…politically incorrect? I leave you with this key moment in Alpha Dog when Johnny Truelove asks Elvis what he thinks about the whole kidnapping situation and Elvis responds “I think no more Music Video”.
Susan says:
…this movie has got it all… comedy, romance, action… although I am not sure if any of these genres were actually intended. I was so excited to see Justin Timberlake’s much anticipated dramatic acting debut, I am not embarrassed to admit that I have a been a huge fanatic since his N’SYNC days. In the end I left the theatre confused and a bit depressed. The beginning of the movie was light enough, a 20 year old drug dealer with his own house in LA, totally believable, commanding his friend to clean up his dog’s bowel movements. Then quickly the story unravels and this band of friends kidnaps a boy, who happens to be the brother of a crazy meth addict (who incidentally later on in the movie becomes a white Jackie Chan). If you think this sounds confusing, just imagine later on the movie when they add threesomes and murder. Finally, thank goodness, the movie ended… at least the soundtrack was pretty good.
Little G (Giulietta) says:
This was one of the funniest movies I have seen in a while; unfortunately this was not the intention of the director. I came out dissing my homegirls and yoyo-ing the general public as my pants started sliding below my undie line. I love Justin Timberlake and was happy to see a little bit of fancy footwork in the carpark scene but the superfluous tatts and excess skinniness was a little overpowering.
A credible cast including Justin (did I mention he was in it?), Sharon Stone, Bruce Willis, Amanda Seyfried and some random cute boys fumble through an average script. Likable characters tell the true story of a group of boys now on death row for a foolish act of stupidity. I am generally not a fan of the rapper/druggie movie genre but at least this one was filmed with enough lighting to see the actor’s expressions (few that they were) and the language was comprehensible (although not for the oldies sitting behind us at the pensioner hour session).
Overall I enjoyed the movie for what it was. Notable highlights: many big glass windows in modern architecturally designed homes (90% of which get smashed), karate kid scene by skinhead druggie (best actor in the film) and Sharon Stone in the fat suit. Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n Roll. 5 stars.