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Alpha Dog By David DiCerto Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- Set amid the drug culture of affluent youths in Los Angeles and loosely based on true events, the extremely ugly "Alpha Dog" (Universal) centers on teenage dealer Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch), who, together with his clique (including a credible Justin Timberlake), abducts the kid brother, Zack (Anton Yelchin), of Jake (Ben Foster), a rival who owes Johnny money. The kidnapping triggers unforeseen complications as their scheme spirals out of control. Writer-director Nick Cassavetes effectively conveys the nihilism and morally vacant lifestyles of his disaffected youths -- an indictment of irresponsible parenting as much as the corrosive influence of much of today's pop culture -- but the story is emotionally uninvolving and the overall raw tone and incessant sordidness, while perhaps accurately reflecting reality, are excessive. The film contains pervasive rough and sexually explicit language, some strong violence, recurring drug content, delinquent behavior, several sexual situations with partial nudity, one involving minors, underage drinking and smoking, as well as scattered profanity and racial epithets. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O -- morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. - - - DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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