Absent a Eurovision Song Contest due to the ongoing pandemic, Netflix were seemingly one step ahead of the curve and gave us the next best thing - a film based on the camp spectacle. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga tells of an eccentric fictionalised Icelandic duo who are given the opportunity to represent their nation at the contest, with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams starring in the leading roles.
Small-town musicians Lars Erickssong (Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdottir (McAdams), collectively known as the Fire Saga, overcome adversity to take to the Eurovision stage, in the hope of proving that any dream is worth fighting for. Directed by David Dobkin and starring Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan, Demi Lovato and a handful of familiar faces for fans of the competition, can The Story of Fire Saga achieve the infectious spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest?
A film centring around the Eurovision Song Contest should offer an overabundance of camp, sparkly fun to indulge in, and while it captures some of the competition's eccentricities in fleeting moments, it cannot salvage an overlong and mostly flat picture. A comedy that lacks real laughs and a drama that never takes itself seriously enough for the more poignant emotions to land, The Story of Fire Saga experiences an identity crisis and results in a great deal of wasted potential languishing on the screen.
While hardly the most inventive spectacle, David Dobkin makes the most of the lavish production values at his disposal with gorgeous costumes and impressive sets providing the dazzle seen in the colourful contest. But the biggest problems lie within its script and pacing; this is a 90-minute concept stretched to over two hours and the uneven rhythm, reflective of the uncertain tonal work, really hinder the film from ever feeling alive. Andrew Steele co-writes alongside Ferrell but it's clear that neither quite understand the appeal of the comeptition, and what makes it so beloved across Europe. One early mash-up moment provides unashamed fan service, beyond that is seldom captures the all-important energy and spirit of the contest.
Rachel McAdams (and her wardrobe) is the film's saving grace. A captivating presence in a film that begins to test your patience, she's a breath of fresh air, making the most of her material with a strong lead performance that once again showcases her versatility. She is endlessly watchable and radiates an authenticity that the film is so desperately in need of to prevent the line between tribute and parody from blurring. Dan Stevens is a valuable asset with an impressive supporting turn that proves that he is one of the most exciting actors working today.
But unfortunately, the film fails to fully realise the talents of either, pushing Ferrell's overwrought comedic shtick above all else, which grows increasingly tiring as it distracts from the more interesting and heartfelt moments trying to develop. It's a wonder that Ferrell's routine can be repackaged so many times but The Story of Fire Saga suffers more so than most with his grating turn actively undoing the better film that exists somewhere in here, beneath the pace-destroying padding.
Ultimately, The Story of Fire Saga stretches itself far too thin with a two-hour-plus runtime; a tight 90 minutes would have suited the concept far better and gone a long way in fixing the pacing issues that plague the feature. A couple of great original songs, a handful of enjoyable moments and Rachel McAdams giving it her all are not enough to make this worthwhile, and you know that even when a film featuring a medley of Cher, ABBA and Madonna hits isn't worth the effort that something has gone devastatingly wrong.
Summary: Rachel McAdams is the saving grace in this glorified Will Ferrell star vehicle which fails to capitalise on, or truly understand, the exuberant joy of the Eurovision Song Contest.