MYSTERY, ALASKA
1999 - USA

Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Mary McCormack, Burt Reynolds, Colm Meaney, Lolita Davidovich, Maury Chaykin, Ron Eldard

- Reviewed by Kerri

Mystery, Alaska There seems to be no end to underdog-sports movies in Hollywood, and Mystery, Alaska is yet another one. While it falls prey to the same old clichés, there is a certain sweetness about it that makes it somewhat recommendable; of course, the fact that Russell Crowe stars in it is a big boon. However, if it weren't for some of the characters, there really isn't anything about this movie you haven't already seen in The Replacements, The Mighty Ducks, or The Bad News Bears.

Mystery is a small Alaskan town where the temperatures drop to below zero and the town's heart and soul revolves around its hockey players. The "Saturday Game," an event where the "chosen" get to play hockey, draws the whole town to the little pond to watch the residents play each other.

The players are chosen by a committee headed by the mayor of the town; in the beginning we see team leader Johnny Biebe (Crowe) get kicked off the team. In swoops Charlie Danner (Hank Azaria), a successful sports writer and former resident who committed the cardinal sin of leaving the town for civilization (New York). He has worked a deal where the NY Rangers come to play this rag-tag bunch, and chaos ensues as the town readies for their arrival. Charlie is still bitter about the town's love of hockey; "What do I have to do to get respect in this town? I brought them the G****** New York Rangers, and I still get s*** on."

There are some side stories going on involving the players, but those, too, are clichéd. Mary McCormack does well as Johnny's wife who once had a romantic interest in Charlie (who has never gotten over her). Lolita Davidovich, Burt Reynolds, Michael McKean, and even Little Richard all make appearances. I always enjoy Colm Meaney (Star Trek: DS9, The Commitments) in a film and in this one he plays a good mayor.

It's unfortunate that there is quite a bit of harsh swearing and a completely unnecessary sex scene in this, because otherwise I think kids would love it. For adults though, I really can't recommend it for anything other than rainy-day viewing unless you are a hockey fanatic. Or a Russell Crowe fanatic. Oh.

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