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Mystery, Alaska (1999)

tomatometer

38

Average Rating: 5/10
Reviews Counted: 81
Fresh: 31 | Rotten: 50

The lack of hockey action and authenticity left critics cold.

41

Average Rating: 5/10
Critic Reviews: 27
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 16

The lack of hockey action and authenticity left critics cold.

audience

65

liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 31,101

My Rating

Movie Info

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

R, 1 hr. 55 min.

Drama, Comedy

David E. Kelley, Sean O'Byrne

May 9, 2000

Buena Vista

Cast

All Critics (94) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (50) | DVD (8)

This is an attractive, talented, most companionable cast.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | Comment
Sacramento Bee
Top Critic IconTop Critic

More hockey and less quirky drama might have saved this yawner.

January 1, 2000 Comment
Mr. Showbiz
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Conveys some of the thrill and ferocity of ice hockey while skillfully folding together multiple personal dramas.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | Comment
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Kelley is obviously aware that to make the move from TV to films he must fill his scripts with greater depth and density.

January 1, 2000 Comment
Boston Globe
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Grown-up Mighty Ducks isn't meant for kids.

December 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

La preuve qu'il est encore possible de produire de belles choses lorsque la passion est au rendez-vous, même si cela signifie parfois travailler avec des matériaux usés...

November 16, 2010 Full Review Source: Panorama | Comment

With so many characters and plotlines, it seems that TV king Kelley mistook this big-screen assignment for another network pilot.

January 3, 2009 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | Comment
TheMovieReport.com

...completely inoffensive -- if you don't mind old ladies and little children saying shockingly rude things. But it's no Slap Shot, if that's what you wanted to know.

January 27, 2005 Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | Comment
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

O roteiro cria uma série de subtramas que jamais se tornam relevantes e - o que é pior - mergulham no mais puro clichê.

September 2, 2004 Comment
Cinema em Cena

No matter how stale the storyline, these actors breathe fresh emotion into it.

November 13, 2003 Full Review | Comment
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

While sports may well be the toy department of life, hanging out there is often what creates and sustains community.

March 4, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | Comment
Spirituality and Practice

The only thing that saves it from being total trash is the skill of the lead actors, who make the best out of nothing.

February 28, 2002 Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | Comment
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Mystery, Alaska

Ever since I saw the previews for it a couple of years ago, I knew I had to see "Mystery, Alaska." One thing that surprised me was that my mom even liked it and she HATES watching any kind of sports. Another thing, I haven't ever been that much of a hockey fan myself. In my whole life, I probably haven't watched enough

September 14, 2009
stormyweather980

Super Reviewer

I love ice-hockey in comedy film since Slap Shot and The Mighty Ducks series, but this is a hilarious tale of romance, passion and the ultimate power play.

November 13, 2006
deano
Dean McKenna

Super Reviewer

    1. "Skank" Marden: No, no... We're sleeping together, for God's sakes.
    2. Mary Jane Pitcher: Skank, we're commiting adultery!
    – Submitted by John P (3 months ago)
    1. "Tree" Lane: I'm a big guy!
    – Submitted by John P (3 months ago)
    1. Stevie Weeks: I'm a premature ejaculator!
    – Submitted by John P (3 months ago)

Latest News for Mystery, Alaska

September 1, 2005:
Carrey and Stiller to Team Up as "Used Guys"
Jim Carrey and Ben Stiller will team up to play "Used Guys" for director Jay Roach, says...

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