The Bottom Line
Not just a story of bored kids turning to drugs, Alpha Dog is a real cautionary tale about what happens when there's a disconnect within families. Featuring an impressive mix of young Hollywood (Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster) and established stars (Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone), Alpha Dog really packs a punch as it delivers a story ripe with important lessons.
Pros
- Terrific performances by the whole ensemble
- Interesting story told in an engaging manner
Cons
- Not much in the way of bonus features and no commentary track
Description
- 'A Cautionary Tale: The Making of Alpha Dog' - A behind the scenes featurette
- 'Witness Timeline' - Details on the actual people who witnessed the kidnapping along with shots from the film
- DVD Release Date: May 1, 2007
Guide Review - Alpha Dog DVD Review
Alpha Dog was inspired by the true story of Jesse James Hollywood, a middle-class wannabe gangster currently awaiting trial for the kidnap and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz in August 2000. Justice has been delayed for Hollywood because he fled to Brazil to avoid capture and wasn't returned to the United States until 2005.
In the film version, Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch) is the leader of a bunch of bored LA teens who party their way through life. Dealing drugs provides them with money and without much parental involvement, the group does pretty much as it wants without any repercussions.
But when Jake, one of Johnny's clients, can't come up with the money he owes, Johnny and his gang decide to kidnap Jake's younger brother, Zack (Anton Yelchin) and hold him until Jake coughs up the cash. Things get really messed up as the longer they hang on to the kid, the bigger the hole they dig themselves with the law.
