Since 1956 the Eurovision Song Contest has hosted talented singers from around Europe. Each participating country enters a singer (or musical group) into the contest with the hopes of winning, bringing fame to their country and their people and hosting the contest the following year. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga plays out a fictional version of this contest, with one of Iceland’s most passionate musical groups at the forefront of the story. Fire Saga, consisting of Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams), has dreamed of one day making it to and winning the biggest singing competition in Europe. The issue, however, is that the duo is made up of two numbskulls who struggle with everyday life. They, after years of practice, are provided the opportunity of a lifetime to perform in front of the entire world. The journey that they are about to embark on will surely be a roller coaster of emotions and a showcase of talent like never seen before.
How is it possible that a film both sucks and entertains at the same time? The answer to that is not quite clear, but Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga manages to find a balance between the two. So, the next question that one must ask is “what about the film sucks?” Well, that list might just go on and on forever, starting with the acting and making stops at the story, the horrific accents, the way in which the Eurovision Song Contest is portrayed and the overall tone along the way.
Ferrell and McAdams lead a cast that is Intentionally bad...I think. As Ferrel and McAdams take the screen for the first time together, they present audiences with a sort of screwed up idea of what someone from Iceland might sound like. From then on Ferrell produces an accent that comes out as a combination of Icelandic and American and utter balderdash. It’s hard to understand whether or not the poor performances are intentional or if the actors genuinely lack an understanding of European accents. Regardless of why it plays out the way it does, the acting ultimately remains subpar and unappealing.
The biggest issue that I have with Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is the way in which the contest is conveyed. As an American who was unfamiliar with the Eurovision Song Contest prior to watching the film, I struggle to comprehend exactly how the contest is viewed in Europe. Do citizens of European countries believe the contest, along with each of its sixty-plus winners, to be a joke, or is that simply a ploy used to help drive the plot of the film? Based on the number of times Fire Saga is put down and belittled about it being their goal to participate in Eurovision, it seems that the contest is viewed as a complete joke. If this is in fact the case, it is troubling to think that a contest where one of the biggest winners is ABBA is a laughing stock across Europe. Now, if this isn’t the case then it’s a bit embarrassing, and borderline unacceptable, to make fun of it the way that Ferrel and director David Dobkin do. Given the state of the film and the ridiculous nature of nearly everything that occurs, it’s nearly impossible to determine what the actual intentions of the cast and crew are.
If nearly every aspect of Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga sucks so bad, why do I like it? What about this film has caused it to be stuck in my head and eventually watch it a second time? The only legitimate answer that I can come up with is the combination of the music and the underdog story--not of Lars but of Sigrit. As the ridiculous tunes fill the space in the room, viewers seem to have no choice but to appreciate what is being sung. Furthermore, McAdams’ Sigrit, who is regularly belittled by the dominant Lars finds a way to the forefront of the story and the stage and squirms her way into the hearts of viewers. As much as I want to hate how stupid Sigrit is, her voice, and the fact that she is able to power through adversity ends up being enough for viewers to appreciate her.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is absurd, ridiculous and whatever other asinine adjective you can come up with. From beginning to end, every moment of the film makes viewers cringe and makes them feel uncomfortable. Yet, through what can only be described as a miracle, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga manages to make viewers smile. I can’t fully explain why you’ll like this film, but you will.
Directed by David Dobkin. Written by Will Ferrell & Andrew Steele. Starring Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan, Mikael Persbrandt, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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