EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA
Dir: David Dobkin (12 122 mins)
The Eurovision song contest is an institution, a high camp extravaganza that is ingrained in European culture, a show often so outrageous it feels impossible to parody.
That hasn’t stopped Will Ferrell from trying however in this warm hearted, sporadically entertaining comedy. Ferrell and Rachel McAdams are Lars and Sigrit, an Icelandic pair boned by their love of ABBAand all things Eurovision.
When a quirk of fate means that they are the only possible entry for Iceland in the song contest, they duly decamp to Edinburgh and meet song makers from around the world, most entertainingly Dan Stevens as whip cracking Russian Alexander Lemtov. Ups and downs ensue as Ferrell’s dreams fail in spectacular ways and he realizes that what he wants is for the long unrequited love for him and Sigrit to be real.
Sluggish and rather unfunny to start, Ferrell and McAdams struggling with a laugh free script and a strangely accented Pierce Brosnan as Ferrell’s disapproving handsome fisherman Dad, the film kicks up a gear with entrance of Stevens. Clearly relishing a chance to cut loose, he provides the film’s best moments, chief amongst them a song a long at a castle party where past Eurovision winners have an epic musical montage.
There are some bizarre side steps into Icelandic lore that are never fully developed, elves, mystical notes, some well staged performances involving hamster wheels and Graham Norton cameo-ing as himself to add Euro authenticity. It’s an affectionate romp, respectful of the competition, with a nod to homophobia in Russia and an all too brief set of cameos from Jamie and Natasha Demitrou from Stath Lets Flats as event organisers and coaches. Although it’s too long and struggles from a formless script at points, this is no nil point, remaining an aimiable time waster.
***
Streaming on Netflix now
Words: Kieron Self
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