MYSTERY, ALASKA *** (out of five stars) A review by Jamey Hughton
Starring-Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Burt Reynolds, Mary McCormick, Colm Meaney, Ron Eldard, Lolita Davidovich and Maury Chaykin Director-Jay Roach Rated 14A Hollywood
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David E. Kelley, it seems, has yet to find a comfortable niche in the Hollywood film industry. Kelley (the creator of Ally McBeal and The Practice) tried his luck earlier this year with Lake Placid, a crocodile comedy that apparently didn't contain enough wit (or was that too much wit?). Now, the writer has concocted an imaginary Alaskan town to bring us the hockey-oriented Mystery, Alaska.
Citizens of Mystery celebrate the Canadian pastime of ice hockey like a religion. The town sheriff, Jon Biebe (Russell Crowe), leads the local 11-man squad out every Saturday for a league game on a nearby pond. Everyone is excited when the latest Sports Illustrated issue appears, containing a three-page article about the dedication to the sport in the small town. The writer of the article, former Mystery resident Charles Danner (Hank Azaria), comes calling soon after with an interesting proposition. It seems NHL executives read the story and thought it would be great publicity to send the New York Rangers up to Alaska for an exhibition game. Everyone is Mystery is soon overcome with anxiety, as they try and prep the town for the Rangers' arrival in a mere 32 days.
Kelley always populates his projects with humorous personalities, and here he sticks with tradition. The mayor (Colm Meaney) doesn't want to be embarrassed by this `publicity stunt'. He should be more concerned about his wife (Lolita Davidovich), who is having a heated affair with a careless player named, appropriately, Skank (Ron Eldard). Skank seems to be setting his sights on a different female target every night (as he puts it, `I play hockey and fornicate. Those are the two funnest things to do in cold weather'). Meanwhile, Biebe's wife Donna (Mary McCormick) seems to be eyeing recent returnee and old high school flame Danner. Burt Reynolds plays Judge Burns, a former hockey coach and big fat grouch extrordinaire.
This is certainly not one of Kelley's better outings. His screenplay (which he co-wrote with Sean O'Byrne) stumbles terribly out of the gate, jumbled with plot details and unsure of what direction to eventually take. Luckily, he begins an admirable recovery during the days leading up to the big game, with some surprisingly effective dramatics that almost caught me off guard. More recognition should go to director Jay Roach (of Austin Powers' fame), who paints an enjoyable portrait of a small town about to be placed in the spotlight.
Mystery, Alaska is entirely predictable from the first frame on - and yet, even as the inevitable rolls around, it remains in good fun. The film is a bit too profane than perhaps needed, but that's only when it sidesteps it's generally pleasant and good-natured appeal. The plot is basically an underdog story like The Mighty Ducks, only for adults. And despite one or two obvious caricatures, these Alaskans have a certain charm.
The caricatures are Azaria and Reynold's characters (with the latter saving his obvious existence with convincing gruffness), but the rest of the cast is rock solid. Crowe, who displayed wonderful intensity in L.A. Confidential, gives Jon Biebe the everyman quality that any lead requires. Colm Meaney and Maury Chaykin are both terrific in supporting roles, and one Mystery team player caught my eye: the big, likable oaf Tree (a perfectly cast Kevin Durand). With his effortless charm and persistence, Durand owns a few of the best scenes in the movie.
Regular sports movies' clichés abound in the last thirty minutes, but a few unexpected cameo appearances help quite a bit. As I mentioned before, every second of film can probably be predicted beforehand. Will the former coach step forward and guide the underdog team to a win? Will the star player escape a prison charge in time to play the game? Well, duh. Mystery, Alaska is funny and entertaining enough to adequately fill a two-hour time slot - unless, of course, you absolutely despise everything involving David E. Kelley and the game of hockey. But then, why would you even go?
(C) 1999, Jamey Hughton
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