Netflix's new comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of
Fire Saga is the latest in a string of disappointments for gifted comedian
Will Ferrell.
Ferrell co-wrote
the script and stars as Lars, an Icelandic musician performing in a duo with
his childhood friend Sigrit (Rachel McAdams). Lars's dream is to win the
Eurovision Song Contest, but no one seems to care much about his music, and his
father (Pierce Brosnan) openly disdains it. Through a series of outlandish
events, Lars and Sigrit are chosen to represent Iceland at the competition.
After an amusing
first act, the film's main problem is that it's just not that funny. It rambles
for 123 minutes, which feels like 20-30 minutes too long, especially since
there is very little in the way of a plot. While some of the musical numbers
are obviously necessary, a few could have been cut (most glaringly, a long
medley sung by the cast at a party).
At times, it
seems like the movie is not even trying to be funny. Even its best gags elicit
more chuckles than laughs. The film's best asset is McAdams, who lends Sigrit a
sincerity that's very appealing.
