A 1999 American comedy drama directed by Jay Roach about an amateur hockey team going against the NHL's New York Rangers.
It stars Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Mary McCormack, Lolita Davidovich, Ron Eldard, Colm Meaney, Maury Chaykin, and Burt Reynolds.
The movie was released on October 1, 1999.
Tropes for the film:
- Common Nonsense Jury: There's an incident where a local store owner is acquitted in the shooting of the representative of a Walmart Expy who wanted to buy his store. Since he's local and the best hockey player in town, the jury finds him not guilty so he can participate in the Big Game against the NY Rangers. They also attempt to award him damages, but the judge rightly points out you can't do that in a criminal trial. He also lambasts the jury for putting the game above what's right. No one really cares.
- Cutesy Name Town: The titular town, Mystery.
- Down to the Last Play: With seconds on the clock, the underdog hockey team facing off against the New York Rangers needs a single goal to tie and therefore take the match into overtime. In agonizing slow motion, their captain makes a buzzer-beating shot... that strikes off the goalpost, producing loud, piercing clink that is one of the most heartbreaking sounds in sport.
- Never Accepted in His Hometown: Charles Danner is more of a corporate type than someone who fit into the hockey-heavy culture.
- This Ain't Rocket Surgery: This exact quote-Donnie Shulzhoffer: This is hockey, OK? It's not rocket surgery.
