One sheet movie poster for Eurovision Song Contest - The Story of Fire Saga
Eurovision Song Contest - The Story of Fire Saga

★★★☆

Fire Saga is a tiny band in Iceland, a country with a tiny population. Even with inherently limited competition, they have no chance at making it to Söngvakeppnin, the Icelandic pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. But Lars (Will Ferrel) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) have been friends and band mates since eary childhood and they still believe in their dreams.

When the selection committee finds themselves one band short of the required twelve necessary for a country to prescreen, they blindly pull Fire Saga's cassette tape out of a box, knowing that it doesn't really matter. You see, this year Katiana Lindsdóttir (Demi Lovato) is representing Iceland and there is no way anyone else has a shot.

So begins Fire Saga's journey. Of course they will never advance to Eurovision proper without a miracle… or an unbelievable disaster. Let's just say it's a good thing they decided to skip the after-party.

Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams in Fire Saga Viking Song

The duo has some measure of talent and a whole lot of heart which propels them through unwelcome rearrangements of their music and difficult performances, eventually starting to connect with a global audience.

Pierce Brosnan in Eurovision Song Contest - Fire Saga

As much a story about a man trying to win his father's approval and a woman waiting patiently for the love of her life, the film explores a relationship between two people with lots in common but also many differences, from belief in elves to the meaning of success.

Sometimes endearing but always silly, the movie has the feel of a skit, with accents sounding straight out of SNL, with visual gags to match.

Dan Stevens as Alexander Lemtov in Eurovision Song Contest - Fire Saga

We do get a picture of this extra-continental contest and the various personalities, cultures and musical genres that are represented.

While Lars and Sigrit don't quite fit in with the level of professionalism shown by the rest of the competition (some played by real Eurovision Song Contest alums) they find decent community acceptance.

Dan Stevens gives a memorable performance as contest favorite Alexander Lemtov who represents Russia. With over-the-top wealth and confidence Alexander sets his sights on Sigrit while gently denigrading Lars.

Worthwhile for the music, settings, romantic comedy and a few unexpected supernatural scenes, The Story of Fire Saga was a fun watch