Film
Kids on the Skids

Johnny gets Jake fired from his much-needed job. Jake then defecates on Johnny’s floor and steals his television.

By Dan Hudak

There are bad decisions, and then there are colossally stupid decisions. The weed-smoking, gangsta-wannabe teenagers in Alpha Dog make a colossally stupid decision, and in the process ruin their lives. This is an engrossing movie about a bad situation that only gets worse and the dangers of loyalty when the bond of friendship crosses unthinkable boundaries.

The story is taken from the real-life headlines of Jesse James Hollywood, who was arrested last March in connection with the August 2000 kidnapping depicted in the film. Although names have been changed for legal reasons, it’s worth noting that production had already begun when Hollywood was found, and one could speculate that the attention given writer/director Nick Cassavetes’ film led to his capture.

In the movie, Hollywood’s name has been changed to Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch), whose father (Bruce Willis) got him into the dope-peddling business and whose entourage makes sure he stays there. His thug friends include Tiko (Fernando Vargas), his right-hand man Frankie (Justin Timberlake) and Elvis (Shawn Hatosy), who’s Johnny’s whipping-boy because he owes him money.

The guys drink, smoke and treat women like objects in the name of good fun until Jake (Ben Foster) shows up, a Neo-Nazi wacko who refuses to pay Johnny the money he owes him. To show him who’s boss, Johnny gets Jake fired from his much-needed job. Jake then defecates on Johnny’s floor and steals his television, but things get less catty when Johnny and Co. find Zack (Anton Yelchin), Jake’s little brother, on the side of the road after running away from home.

Colossally stupid decision #1: They kidnap Zack. Colossally stupid decision #2: They don’t retreat after realizing the severity of the situation, which leads to colossally stupid decision #3, which should not be revealed. Ironically, the kidnapping is just what Zack has been looking for, as it gives him the chance to drink, smoke and have fun, which his restrictive parents prevent him from doing.

What’s startling is the lack of conventional normality in these kids’ lives. School? Not even spoken of. Partying? Yes, all the time. Regard for the law? Yes, but only in really bad situations. Parents? Either an annoyance or a horrible influence. And when parents do a good job with their child, as Zack’s mom Olivia (Sharon Stone) does with him, he wants nothing to do with her.

All of the young actors are thoroughly convincing in their roles, particularly Yelchin as the naïve Zack and, to the surprise of many, Timberlake, who has a natural screen presence and shows a decent amount of acting talent. This is not a breakthrough performance on par with Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls, but it is a solid start to an acting career if the pop star so chooses.

If you don’t already know what happened in the case of Jesse James Hollywood, see the movie before you research the old headlines. Cassavetes’ film is full of tension and an omnipresent “Oh, no” feeling that’s a lot harder to accomplish than people think. And although there’s no “based on a true story” title, the on-screen texts informs us of the dates, times and locations of the goings-on, all of which lends itself to an authentic — and tragic — story.

Comments? E-mail dhudak22@yahoo.com.  Film capsules by Dan Hudak available online at www.miamisunpost.com.

Alpha Dog ***

Written and directed by Nick Cassavetes. Starring Bruce Willis, Justin Timberlake, Matthew Barry, Emile Hirsch, Fernando Vargas, Shawn Hatosy. Rated R.

**** A genuine must-see

*** Entertaining

**  Mediocre but not worthless

*  A wretched waste of time

Also opening in Miami-Dade County this Friday: Arthur & the Invisibles, Curse of the Golden Flower, Pan’s Labyrinth, Stomp the Yard.

 ***