CERT: 15 / PLATFORM: NETFLIX / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
Sometimes being a fan of something can be likened to being in a cult. It makes the utmost sense to you but to everyone else…less so. And Eurovision is the craziest cult of all. Now, you might be wondering why we here at Starburst are reviewing Netflix’s new Eurovision-centric movie but any flick that features unseen influence from fateful/heavy drinking/murderous folklore creatures, is welcome on these sacred pages…let alone a film as fun as this one.
In the town of Húsavík in Iceland, best buddies since childhood Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) and Lars (Will Ferrell) are Fire Saga, a duo who aspire to sing for their country at the Eurovision song contest, and come 2020, be it fate or luck, they unexpectedly get that opportunity. But will it be all they ever dreamed of?
In a year as cack as this one, director David Dobkin’s (co-written by Will Ferrell and Andrew Steele) Eurovision is just the sort of film we need right now. Not everything works and it runs a tad long at over 2 hours but it’s a film with a great big heart that holds a mirror up to the Eurovision spectacle and gives fans the contest they missed this year. Featuring contestant cameos and some zany set pieces, this Blades of Glory meets Father Ted’s “A Song for Europe” picture captures that wild, boisterous and campy spirit.
Ferrell and McAdams lead an up for it cast (Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan, Melissanthi Mahut) with gusto, in a film that values the power of individuality, culture, belief and the unifying power of music and passion. It’s funny, bonkers, campy, high energy and has an absolute ear worm of a soundtrack (“Volcano Man”) that’ll be on your mind for days.
Starburst gefur þér átta stig!
