Mystery, Alaska (1999)
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38% of critics liked it
(81 reviews) -
64% of users liked it
(31,771 ratings)
In this comic drama about fame, sports, and small-town life, Mystery, Alaska is a small town in one of the least accessible parts of the coldest state in the union. It's a town where everyone knows each other and there isn't much to do. In places like this, small things tend to become very… More In this comic drama about fame, sports, and small-town life, Mystery, Alaska is a small town in one of the least accessible parts of the coldest state in the union. It's a town where everyone knows each other and there isn't much to do. In places like this, small things tend to become very important, and in Mystery, the one thing that keeps everyone sane is hockey. Most of the men of Mystery are obsessive hockey fans, and a local hockey league has sprung up, with pools of neighborhood talent facing off on the ice every week. When a national sports magazine does a story on the hockey fans of Mystery, Alaska, someone at the National Hockey League gets an idea for a publicity stunt: send the New York Rangers to Mystery to play the local all-stars in a nationally televised game. Most of the locals are thrilled; the game will give the people of Mystery a chance to bask in the limelight and make their sleepy town a household word. On the other hand, in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's secrets, this event could cause everyone to start airing their dirty laundry in public, with the whole world watching. Mystery, Alaska was directed by Jay Roach, who enjoyed considerable success with the two Austin Powers films, and stars Russell Crowe as John Biebe, Mary McCormack as his wife Donna, Burt Reynolds as Judge Burns, and Lolita Davidovich as Mary Jane. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jay Roach
- Written By
- David E. Kelley, Sean O'Byrne
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Oct 1, 1999 Wide
- On DVD
- May 9, 2000
- Studio
- Buena Vista
Critic Reviews
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Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
This is an attractive, talented, most companionable cast.
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Susan Stark, Detroit News
The Detroit Red Wings' season begins Saturday. Why enrich Disney's coffers for a shameless piece of cinematic junk like Mystery, Alaska when you can see the real thing?
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Tom Keogh, Film.com
Roach has to deal with some pure corn at the end, but he pulls it off and guides the actors to and through far better moments.
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John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune
There is no denying Kelley's ability to write a funny one-liner or pen a poignant speech, but this frustrating film has the potential to be much more than it is, especially with the collection of able actors on hand.
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Jay Carr, Boston Globe
Kelley is obviously aware that to make the move from TV to films he must fill his scripts with greater depth and density.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Russell Crowe
as John Biebe
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Hank Azaria
as Charles Danner
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Mary McCormack
as Donna Biebe
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Burt Reynolds
as Judge Walter Burns
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Colm Meaney
as Mayor Scott Pitcher
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Lolita Davidovich
as Mary Jane Pitcher
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Maury Chaykin
as Bailey Pruitt
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Ron Eldard
as "Skank" Marden
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Ryan Northcott
as Stevie Weeks
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Michael Buie
as Conner Banks
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Kevin Durand
as "Tree" Lane
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Scott Grimes
as "Birdie" Burns
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Judith Ivey
as Joanne Burns
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Rachel Wilson
as Marla Burns
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Mike Myers
as Donnie Shulzhoffer
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Joshua Silberg
as Michael
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Regan Sean O'Byrne-Macelwain
as Joey
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Jim Fox
as Himself
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Phil Esposito
as Himself
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Doug McLeod
as Himself
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Little Richard
as Himself
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Adam Beach
as Galin Winetka
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Cameron Bancroft
as 'Tinker' Connolly