Mystery Alaska

Carter's Notes

While I know next to nothing about hockey or any other sport, some people thought my naivete would be appropriate for this film. Jay Roach assured me that he didn't want a typical rousing score, and I did try in my score to play other elements - the landscape and the contrast between its unfeeling beauty and the simple joys and pains of the people in this remote town.

Ultimately Disney brought me back some months after we'd recorded it, to re-score a few scenes, notably the conclusion of the big hockey game, basically to make them more rousing. As is typical.

Russell Crowe

Film Info

Directed by Jay Roach
Written by David E. Kelley, Sean O'Byrne
Produced by Howard Baldwin, David E. Kelley, Shauna Robertson

Composed and Conducted by Carter Burwell
Orchestrated by Sonny Kompanek
Music Editor: Adam Smalley
Music Scoring Mixer: Mike Farrow
Contractor: Sandy Decrescent
Recorded and Mixed at Todd-AO, Los Angeles, CA

Starring Russell Crowe, Mary McCormack, Burt Reynolds, Hank Azaria, Colm Meaney, Lolita Davidovich, Mike Myers

U.S. Release October, 1999

Reviews

"...an upbeat meat-and-potatoes movie that is a striking change in directorial style for Jay Roach, who oversaw the garish Austin Powers romps, conveys some of the thrill and ferocity of ice hockey while skillfully folding together multiple personal dramas." - Stephen Holden, New York Times, October 1, 1999.

"Majestic setting, with tiny burg at foot of humongous peaks, is underused by Roach and lenser Peter Deming, though Burwell makes up for it with another of his scores that's superior to the film it's supporting." - Robert Koehler, Variety, September 27, 1999.