Alpha Dog is a 2006 American crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes. Based on the true story of the 2000 kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz, the film follows a group of young men whose reckless actions take a tragic turn. Justin Timberlake stars as Frankie “Nuts” Ballenbacher, a member of Johnny Truelove’s gang, alongside an ensemble cast that includes Ben Foster, Shawn Hatosy, Emile Hirsch, Christopher Marquette, Sharon Stone, Anton Yelchin, and Bruce Willis.
SYNOPSIS
In the San Gabriel Valley, young drug dealer Johnny Truelove kidnaps Zack Mazursky, the younger brother of Jake, who owes Johnny money. Johnny and his gang, including his right-hand man Frankie and the indebted Elvis, hold Zack hostage while attempting to pressure Jake into paying his debt. Frankie is left to watch Zack and gradually forms an unlikely friendship with him as Zack becomes increasingly comfortable with the group and their reckless lifestyle. When Johnny decides that Zack must be killed to prevent the kidnapping from coming to light, Frankie struggles with the decision and gives Zack opportunities to escape. Ultimately, Frankie becomes caught between his loyalty to Johnny and his growing concern for Zack as the situation takes a tragic turn.
DIRECTOR: Nick Cassavetes
PRODUCER: Sidney Kimmel, Chuck Pacheco
SCREENWRITER: Nick Cassavetes
ROLE: Justin Timberlake as Frankie “Nuts” Ballenbacher
OTHER CAST: Ben Foster, Shawn Hatosy, Emile Hirsch, Christopher Marquette, Sharon Stone, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Willis
GENRES: Biography, Crime, Drama
RELEASE DATES: January 12, 2007 (Theaters)
RUNTIME: 2 hours 2 minutes
LINKS: IMDb | Wikipedia