Eurovision Song Contest
Film review
Image: Netflix
Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams star in the zany hit comedy Eurovison Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
NICK ROGNESS
Luther College
On my first day in college, I attended my class for the day titled “Nordic Myths and Fairy Tales.” After some introductory content and explaining what the class would cover, we received our first homework assignment: watch a film called Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Little did I know I was about to watch what would become one of my favorite movies for the first of many times.
Will Ferrell stars as Lars Erickssong, who has dreamed of winning the Eurovision Song Contest since he was a little boy watching ABBA perform their famous hit “Waterloo” on the international stage. Together with his childhood friend and now singing partner, Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams), who is (probably) not his sister, they embark on a journey full of comedy, surprises, and surprisingly emotional twists for a comedy film.
On the surface, this movie comes off as “just another Will Ferrell comedy.” However, while the film certainly has an abundance of silly moments poking fun at various Nordic stereotypes, I found myself unexpectedly attached to the characters.
Rachel McAdams’ performance is outstanding as she pulls at the heartstrings of the audience. Sigrit’s impressive singing was not actually Rachel McAdams, but rather the voice of Molly Sandén, a Swedish singer who represented her country in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. Her relationship with the song contest that is this film’s namesake is actually just one of many.
If you’re paying attention, there are numerous references to previous contestants and winners of Eurovision. Culminating in the iconic “Song Along” number in the middle of the film, this exciting performance is a celebration of the legacy that Eurovision holds. One of the notable figures in this song is Alexander Rybak, the musician who won Eurovision for Norway in 2009 with his hit song “Fairytale.” Rybak was recently interviewed in the June 24 issue of The Norwegian American by Editor-in-chief Lori Ann Reinhall.
This hilariously funny film has quickly become one of my most beloved movies with its quirky one-liners and moving story. For now, there is only one thing left to do:
Play “Ja Ja Ding Dong!”
This article originally appeared in the July 29, 2022, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
