Installment #15 in Monolisticle's Ongoing Campaign Against the "Internet of Endless Listicles."
When I first heard that Will Ferrell's newest film was titled Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, I thought—hilarious. With a title like that, how could it not be funny?
And then I heard that it was a musical, and I thought, Oh, that's how it could not be funny.
Basically I expected a train wreck of epic proportions. In fact, I was so convinced of this that I wouldn’t have even watched the film had it not been suggested by someone else, and had there not been a serious dearth of good film options right now. A serious dearth.
I should have had more faith—in the comedic genius of Will Ferrell, the directorial talents of David Dobkin, the infectious charisma and seemingly endless layers of Rachel McAdams, and the mighty elfin spirit of the geothermal capital of the world: Iceland.
Although the film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is technically a musical, in my opinion it’s more of a romantic comedy with lots of songs in it. Because unlike most musicals, the characters are not singing dialogue. They are not suddenly breaking into song mid-sentence. Instead, in this story of two Icelandic singers hoping to win the contest (which is an actual real contest once won by Abba), they perform various songs in their quest to win.
This was a smart editorial decision. It leaves plenty of room for Will Ferrell to do what he’s best at: being funny. And it allows Rachel McAdams to do what she’s best at, which apparently is everything: acting, being funny, and even singing. She actually has a great voice (albeit one that was layered with another singer’s voice). But still—she's got talent.
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Adams is also able to bring an almost animated Disney character-like wide-eyed sweetness to the role of Sigrit Ericksdottir, which makes many of the moments simultaneously heartfelt and funny. Which is a really weird combination that was surprisingly enjoyable and fresh. For example, her earnest belief in the mythical elves of Iceland reminded me of whimsical Disney innocence, which makes the dark-humor moments that come later even funnier (I won’t be a spoiler by giving specifics).
For me the film is funny on so many different levels—quirky characters, Spinal Tap-funny songs, the Eurovision Song Contest premise itself, and even the fact that the characters are from Iceland. Had it been set in Sweden, Norway, or Denmark, it just would not have been nearly as funny.
But Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga also acts as an odd love letter to the Land of Fire and Ice. The cinematography of the idyllic volcanic and glacier-filled landscapes of Iceland will no doubt put it on the top of many people's lists of countries they hope to visit post-pandemic, if it's not already.
The film has been criticized by some as being too long, and even, not funny. Not funny? Having myself laughed out loud several times during the film, I find it hard to believe someone could watch it and not laugh at all. Of course, if one can watch an entire comedic film without finding any of it funny, then I can understand why one would think it was too long.
It's clear, certainly, that the film is polarizing. I know which end of the pole I stand on. Go Iceland!
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