Movie Review: “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”

MOVIE REVIEW: “EUROVISION SONG CONTEST:
THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA” (R)

More glorious man-child fun from that goofball, Will Ferrell

As I sit here writing a review for the Netflix comedy, “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” I have the soundtrack playing full blast and simply can’t help but smile. In fact, I’m not at all embarrassed to admit that I currently have the biggest shit-eating grin on my face. Yes, this is funny stuff. But the tunes on display in this send-up of a very real global song competition are so much more than funny.  They’re actually good to the point that you can’t really dismiss this soundtrack as a novelty record. What can be said about “Eurovision” as a movie? Well, it’s not likely to make Will Ferrell fans out of the non-faithful but for those of us who already pray at the altar of Ron Burgundy, it’s a wonderfully goofy, undeniably smile-inducing comedy that, while a little too long, benefits from countless laughs, great songs, and an infectiously likable spirit that refuses to bow down anything close to resembling cynicism.

In “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” a lovable Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams) and her man-child crush  Lars Erickssong (WIll Ferrell) get the chance of a lifetime when their pop outfit, Fire Saga, is chosen to represent their native Iceland after a bizarre incident puts them in the limelight. Upon arriving in Edinburgh, a dopey Lars–who wants nothing more than to make his priggish father (played by a very funny Pierce Brosnan) proud–finds himself at odds with beloved songster,  Alexander Lemtov (Dan Stevens) while an elf-fearing Sigrit (yes, you read that character description correctly) has aspirations of taking Fire Saga to the next level. It won’t be easy though as Lars has a knack for getting the group into trouble, especially while on stage. Adding to an already extremely complicated situation is the idea that goofball Lars is virtually clueless to the fact that Sigrit is madly in love with him. Will he put his ego aside long enough to realize that what’s most important is standing right in front of him or will his drive to win a global song competition reign supreme?

“Eurovision” is silly but man is it charming. This movie is in the tradition of films  like “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” and “Blades of Glory” and in it, Ferrell rebounds nicely from the disappointing “Downhill.”  That said, it helps that he has a masterclass McAdams to bounce off of.  I’m hesitant to say that McAdams emerges as a pleasant surprise here because she isn’t exactly new to comedy. She showed real comedic chops early in her career in films like “The Hot Chick” and “Mean Girls” and brought the funny once more in the underappreciated 2018 gem,  “Game Night.” McAdams is not only hilarious in this picture, but she’s also positively adorable. Further still, she has the chops to make you believe she’d actually be attracted to a goofball like Lars. Together, Ferrell and McAdams prove to be quite the amusing pair and throughout all the nutty hijinx, we want to see them get together and that’s what ultimately makes the movie work. Elsewhere in the film, a righteously hilarious Dan Steven tickles the funny bone as a cocksure performer whose sexual orientation isn’t always as clear as it might seem.

Also adding to the enjoyment factor is the aforementioned soundtrack.  Of the creative songs that fill out the movie, the highlight is the “Never Enough”-inspired “Eurovision” anthem, “Husavik (My Hometown).” Quite honestly, I actually prefer it to the extremely popular “The Greatest Showman” showstopper. This is an Oscar-caliber tune that will probably go overlooked by the Academy because it’s featured in a Netflix comedy. That’s okay. It’s Oscar’s loss. Further props to the funny little folk tune,  “Jaja Ding Dong,” a staple that Fire Saga can’t seem to get through a set without playing in their hometown. The rest of the movie is peppered with a handful of lively songs, particularly in a rousing final act that finds an eager Fire Saga looking to take home the ultimate of titles.

“Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” is a comedy, a romance, a parody, and a musical to be sure, but it’s also a wonderful underdog story. If “Rocky” were to engage in a love affair with Abba, this would be the end result. It isn’t high art and again, it isn’t likely to win any Oscars or make fans out of all those pesky Ferrell-haters out there, but if you’re in the right frame of mind, “Eurovision” is likely to make you smile.  I sure did.

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