Rachel McAdams in 'Eurovision' saga: How a 'wacky, wonderful event' became an epic movie

'Wacky, Wonderful' World of Eurovision

Just over a year ago, the Netflix film 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga' hit the screens, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to the European music spectacle. The film, co-written by and starring Will Ferrell, saw him partner with Rachel McAdams, transporting viewers on a whimsical, musically-charged journey inspired by real-life Eurovision moments. As reported by The Independent in May 2022, this film was Ferrell’s personal tribute to the global phenomenon of Eurovision.

From the 'Sublime to the Ridiculous'

The movie explores the ambitious journey of Lars Erickssong (Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdottir (McAdams), a hopeful Icelandic pop duo from a small town. They're desperate to win Eurovision, despite the skepticism and disapproval of their fellow townsfolk, including Lars's 'extremely handsome father' (Pierce Brosnan).

Their resilience, coupled with their raw passion for the Eurovision Song Contest, is beautifully brought to life by director David Dobkin. “I was just like, ‘What is this thing?’ It’s incredible,” Ferrell had mused about the contest, as he shared his inspiration for the movie. “The staging, the kind of costumes, the catchiness of the songs, some of the songs are actually really good.”

Homage to Eurovision History

Much of the film's charm lies in its delightful nods to real Eurovision moments. Lars and Sigrit's on-stage tumble, caused by a giant hamster wheel, was a comedic nod to Ukraine's 2014 entry. In reality, performer Mariya Yaremchuk carried off the spectacle without a hitch.

The film also tipped its hat to past Eurovision winners like Conchita Wurst and Loreen in the film's 'sing-along' sequence, adding to its authenticity. And not to forget the infamous commentary by Graham Norton, who played himself, bringing his well-known witty critique to the film.

Another intriguing subplot revolved around the duo’s decision to sing in their native Icelandic language, risking potential loss of votes – a very real challenge many Eurovision contestants face.

So while we may not be gearing up for another Eurovision season right now, a revisit to 'The Story of Fire Saga' offers the perfect encore to the song contest's enchanting world, filled with passion, resilience, and a lot of sequins.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.