Alpha Male (2007/THINKFilm/Image)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C     Extras: C-     Feature: C+

 

 

I had some hopes for Dan Wilde’s Alpha Male (2007) about a good father (Danny Huston) who is loving, provides for his family, is attentive and dies at a young age from sudden poor health.  The problem is that the film as it stands is predictable and very melodramatic.  However, it is well acted, directed and has its moments.

 

What we found out before posting this review is that Wilde had his film taken away by the producers who recut it to make it an easier sell.  Whoever did that has made a mistake because there is a better film buried here somewhere and the cast is likable, convincing and has some chemistry.  As it stands, it is worth one look, but we will be curious as to whether this gets some notice, controversy and becomes the subject of yet another artists’ rights debate.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is too soft for a new production, though some of it has to do with the way this was shot versus the transfer itself, but it could also do with the film, being recut on the cheap and that would be no surprise.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is lite and dialogue is not recorded as loudly as it should be, or this is compressed too much.  A trailer gallery is the only extra.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo