(NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)
Fans of Northern Exposure are probably going to be attracted to Mystery, Alaska, 1999 film directed by Jay Roach, because of certain similarities of setting and characters. The plot, as the title suggests, is set in small Alaska town surrounded by snow covered mountains. Local population has found the major source of entertainment in its own traditional hockey game, held every Saturday at frozen pond. The life of every citizens revolves that event. Protagonist, played by Russell Crowe, is John Beebe, town’s sheriff who, much to his disappointment, gets thrown out of the game for the sake of younger player Stevie Weeks (played by Ryan Northcott). Those problems are nothing compared what those brought by former citizen Charles Danner (played by Hank Azaria) who is nowadays established sports reporter. After his article about his home town’s tradition, NHL team New York Rangers decides to travel to Mystery for exhibition match. This decision creates lot of tensions among citizens, including judge Walter Burns (played by Burt Reynolds) and former college athlete, who fears that the defeat with heavily favoured NHL team could destroy town’s self-image and tradition. He reluctantly agrees to coach the team while Beebe returns to game.
Mystery, Alaska was received poorly by critics and turned into major flop at box office. The latter could have been avoided if it were released a year later, with Russell Crowe enjoying zenith of popularity due to Gladiator. At the time of premiere, Crowe was relatively unknown and his role was squeezed between those played by large ensemble cast that included respected veteran stars like Burt Reynolds and character actors like Hank Azaria and Maury Chaykin. The other problem was in the film being advertised as comedy, which isn’t the best genre description of what would audience finally get. On one hand, Mystery, Alaska provides bizarre and sometimes silly Amarcord-like display of small Artcic town and its characters. On the other hand, this film reveals the hand of the screenwriter David E. Kelley, known for hit television shows in 1990s and 2000s that often danced on the line between drama and comedy. This approach is used here and, despite strange premise, the various subplots deal with some serious subjects like marital infidelity, loss of sexual innocence, struggle of small business owners against large corporations and commercialisation of sports. Most of those subjects are treated straight, while the hockey itself is presented with almost religious fervour. Jay Roach, director best known for Austin Powers films, here doesn’t have opportunity to show his knack for visual humour and instead relies on dialogues. Because of that, Mystery, Alaska looks rather unattractive and the plot needs some time to actually gets going. The impression is saved mostly true somewhat unconventional ending and deeply humanist approach to the subject of small town life. This is the reason enough for Mystery, Alaska to receive recommendation for less demanding viewers.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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