"Women don't like being referred to as fat mammals, Skank."

I spent the majority of yesterday watching Mystery, Alaska starring Russell Crowe and the Irish guy from Star Trek. Like many great movies of our time, this plot is mostly contrived and over symbolized. But, why is that a bad thing. After all aspects of a film become contrived because they are implemented time and time again for one reason, because they work. Mystery, Alaska was no different. The thing that I love about this film is its wonderful mix of amazingly on time, hilarious wit and deep, introspective dialogue. For example, John Biebe (Crowe) explains to Hank Azaria’s character the trouble a loss could cause for the town. However, within the next two or three scenes, Biebe’s youngest son, being interviewed by a newscaster, exclaims, “I have a toy pony. He takes big sh**ts.” This is just some of the beauty present in this wonderful film. The focal point of the whole film is hockey and how a town can thrive off of a love for one thing alone. The film addresses the true beauty that exists in sport in its most basic form. The town rallies behind the bys of winter as their called in every aspect of life. Even when one character shoots an out-of-towner in the foot, the jury finds him innocent just because he has the best shot on the team. If that isn’t true justice, I don’t know what is. All in all, this film has a little bit of everything. A big helping of quirky and original comedy with a touch of the dramatic and a side of somberness come together to make Mystery, Alaska a wonderful film to enjoy.