Review of Mystery, Alaska (1999) by Joel J — 03 Dec 2009

Yet again, here is a film that gets a bad wrap from the critics. Granted, this is by no means Slapshot - but I really don't think it was intended to be. Every bad review I read wants to knock the movie for not having enough hockey action, but hockey is just the glue that binds the story's main focus: the heart and soul of a small Alaskan town (too Palin too soon?:).

I thought Roach did a great job capturing the unique feel of a town in the middle of nowhere and it's little athletic quirks (a comedic Friday Night Lights, if you will). Russell Crowe puts in a subtle, yet great performance as the town's sheriff and aging hockey star.

..really solid. I thought Mary McCormack was believable as the house mom with school girl dreams of what lies over the mountains still haunting her every step, and Hank Azaria is perfect as the schmuck as per usual.

Throw in a great hockey stand off at the end, and you have picture worth the time...cute even. Besides, Burt Reynolds is in this one folks...we all know Burt is the Man.