Short and sweet, this movie is about a "gang" (that actually just consists of rich white boys in California who bank on selling weed), and the people who owe them money. They kidnap a 15 year old played by Anton Yeltchen (who, in the movie, is the brother of Ben Foster, who owes them $1,200), only Anton is glad to be kidnapped cause he resents his over-bearing parents, and gets a glimpse into this anything-goes, 24-hours-a-day-party-scene of the rich and responsibility-free youth of the west coast. Then during the last few minutes of the movie you see these guys facing the consequences of what they've done.
All in all, I went to see this because it's John Cassevetes' son who made it. I am fairly neutral on Justin Timberlake, or was prior to seeing this. IF NOTHING ELSE this movie is worth seeing for the performances. Seriously, Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Ben Foster, and most of the other guys are SO good. Bruce Willis is awesome too. If nothing else, Nick Cassavetes, although definitely going in a different direction than his father did, is allowing his characters to become who they are playing. The acting is very real. So at least that runs in the family. The actual story telling is questionable, and pretty Luke-warm. I wasn't expecting much, but was very pleased when the suspense in the last hour of the film was making me very anxious. That rarely happens.
The style of the film was an unbalanced mix of faux documentary/re-enactment and hand held, crime drama stuff, with a mix of verity testimonials (but so few that it was just awkward). If he had committed to any of the above it would have been a lot less mushy. Also, there wasn't quite enough spoon-feeding to please the high schoolers sneaking in to see justin timberlake, and not quite enough realism to please a fan of his father.
It sure was better than the Notebook.
All in all, I went to see this because it's John Cassevetes' son who made it. I am fairly neutral on Justin Timberlake, or was prior to seeing this. IF NOTHING ELSE this movie is worth seeing for the performances. Seriously, Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Ben Foster, and most of the other guys are SO good. Bruce Willis is awesome too. If nothing else, Nick Cassavetes, although definitely going in a different direction than his father did, is allowing his characters to become who they are playing. The acting is very real. So at least that runs in the family. The actual story telling is questionable, and pretty Luke-warm. I wasn't expecting much, but was very pleased when the suspense in the last hour of the film was making me very anxious. That rarely happens.
The style of the film was an unbalanced mix of faux documentary/re-enactment and hand held, crime drama stuff, with a mix of verity testimonials (but so few that it was just awkward). If he had committed to any of the above it would have been a lot less mushy. Also, there wasn't quite enough spoon-feeding to please the high schoolers sneaking in to see justin timberlake, and not quite enough realism to please a fan of his father.
It sure was better than the Notebook.