Mystery, Alaska (1999)

Director:

Jay Roach

Writers (WGA):

David E. Kelley (written by) &
Sean O'Byrne (written by)

Release Date:

1 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

A Small Town on the Outskirts of Greatness

Plot:

This comedy is about the residents of a small town who get over-excited when their hockey team gets chosen to host a televised event

Plot Keywords:

Small Town | Alaska | New York | Underdog | Adultery

Cast

Russell Crowe	...	John Biebe
Hank Azaria	...	Charles Danner
Mary McCormack	...	Donna Biebe
Burt Reynolds	...	Judge Walter Burns
Colm Meaney	...	Mayor Scott Pitcher
Lolita Davidovich	...	Mary Jane Pitcher
Maury Chaykin	...	Bailey Pruitt
Ron Eldard	...	'Skank' Marden
Ryan Northcott	...	Stevie Weeks
Michael Buie	...	Connor Banks
Kevin Durand	...	'Tree' Lane
Scott Grimes	...	'Birdie' Burns
Jason Gray-Stanford	...	Bobby Michan
Brent Stait	...	Kevin Holt
Leroy Peltier	...	Ben Winetka

Also Known As:

Disney's Hockey Project (USA) (working title)
Pond Rules (USA) (working title)
The Game (USA) (original script title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexuality.

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Malaysia:18PL (uncut) | Malaysia:U (cut) | USA:R (No. 36293) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Germany:6 | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Alberta, Canada

Company:

Baldwin/Cohen Productions

Trivia:

The entire New York Rangers roster is fictional. Many players on the actual Rangers roster at the time refused to be in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end of the game against the NY Rangers, the back of Banks' jersey is covered in ice. In a subsequent scene, his jersey is clean.

Quotes:

[John is jealous after seeing his wife and Charles Danner laughing together in the stands, while John was busy trying to coach the team. Donna doesn't understand why he is upset]
Donna Biebe: John?
John Biebe: You've been smilin' a lot lately.
Donna Biebe: [smiling, still puzzled] Excuse me?
John Biebe: Ever since he came back. Charlie. You been smilin' a little more.
Donna Biebe: [finally understanding] John. That was high school.
[He walks a few steps, kicking the snow to reveal the frozen pond below. Then he kicks at the ice again and speaks metaphorically]
John Biebe: This is not a pond!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Inside the Actors Studio: (#10.6)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

Seldom have I come across a script so good for a premise so slight...

... That a film so seemingly inconsequential pays such care and attention to its characters is to its utmost credit. Before viewing I mistakenly assumed this was a gig Crowe took only because he needed the career-boost. How wrong I was!

We've all essentially seen this before in one form or another; underdogs band together to reaffirm pride for their history and heritage, all thanks to the great leveller we've come to know as 'sports'. Sure, all the expected clichés are present, and I did get a little annoyed at just how MUCH hockey was in the last segment, considering I'd previously been enjoying the character details too much to really care about the event that unifies them - but it's the rich characterisation that prompts many a smile, delighted laugh and one or two moments of poignancy. It's 'fuzzy' - and I guess perhaps manipulative - without being sickening, and that must come down to Kelley's background in the world of populist TV. There are enough sharp lines to offset the sentiment, so you don't tend to bristle when it's there!

Jay Roach really impressed me with this one, as it proves that he's more than 'adept' enough to handle a little pathos, too; a branch of comedy I somehow don't see the Austin Powers franchise extending toward... ! Although the final game is a bit 'dull' from my perspective, the hockey training scenes are inventively shot; keeping the speed and fluency of a viscerally exciting spectacle. Burt Reynolds again excels after "Boogie Nights", with a completely different performance this time - 'quiet dignity' instead of brash smarm.

Really it's unfair to single out, though, from such a fantastic ensemble. It's the sense of togetherness and perfect encapsulation of small-town spirit that makes this work, and if you're searching for a movie to lift your gloom then it's no 'Mystery' where you should look: Alaska... ! 9/10.