ALPHA DOG

The talent of two young up-and-coming actors is on display in ALPHA DOG. Justin Timberlake proves here (as in BLACK SNAKE MOAN) that he is the real deal as an actor. Emile Hirsch does the same (and just wait until you see him in his Oscar worthy performance in INTO THE WILD)! Unfortunately for Timberlake and Hirsch...ALPHA DOG's director/screenwriter Nickl Cassavetes does not show the same promise. Cassavetes has shown flashes of brilliance in his career (writing the Johnny Depp tour-de-fouce BLOW...and directing the very underrated SHE'S SO LOVELY), but ALPHA DOG needs help. The true story is great material and the movie does several great performances (including Bruce Willis), but the movie's feel is too colorful, too Beverly Hills, too adolescent. The movie isn't bad...and worth a rental when you're in the right mood...the disappointment is that there could have been more to love. 2 1/2 of 5 hs