Mystery, Alaska (1999)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

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:

If you look closely at the crowd after a goal is scored in the third period, a large yellow sign held by a resident of Mystery, Alaska can be seen. It reads "Hey Skank, I'm Pregnant!"

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Before the final game at the end of the movie, Little Richard sings the American anthem then, offscreen, is heard singing the beginning of the Canadian anthem, though there is no need to do so, as the game is in Alaska and features two American teams. However, this was intentionally arranged (along with the very long rendition of the American anthem) by the Mayor of Mystery, to prolong the pre-game ceremonies and to let the Rangers freeze even longer.

Quotes:

Donnie Shulzhoffer: This is hockey, OK? It's not rocket surgery.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: (#11.6)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

La Nova Cucaracha

This Story Should Have Been a Book

I enjoyed this film. It, as others have said, had great heart. The many important subplots of the film were played out very convincingly by a fine group of actors. But the issues and how they came to be were only skimmed over leaving you wanting to delve further - know more. The fairly realistic ending would have had a much bigger impact if we could have felt closer to the characters. This great little story could have really hit the spot with a closer look via a good long book.