A "Eurovision" of a Perfectly Fine Diversion

Greetings!

Let's talk about "Eurovision" (2020), which I literally only just learned as I type this is actually titled "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga".

So first things first: no, this movie is not good.  Did you expect it to be good?  If so... how?

I mean of course it's not?

It's formulaic AF, it's cheesy, and it's very likely problematic and/or inaccurate in ways I may not be fully appreciating or catching--not least of which because of its teasing of Icelandic culture with no Icelandic actors in the major roles.  (Although there are several in the supporting cast, and the soundtrack features gorgeous Icelandic music.).  As far as I can tell, this is basically the adult version of "Trolls World Tour" (2020).  It's also two hours long, which is totally unnecessary for a silly and predictable comedy.  But like... this is a mid-late career Will Ferrell movie.  What do you want?

All that said, "Eurovision" (refusing to type out that full title more than once) is, honestly, perfectly fine.  It's got some decently funny moments, including some charmingly good-sport-y cameos from Demi Lovato and some well-deserved hostility for American tourists.  Some of the usual absurdist dialogue that is a staple in Ferrell's movies actually lands well.  Rachel McAdams does a solidly decent job as the counterpoint to Will Ferrell's usual Will Ferrell (but with an accent!).  That guy from "Downton Abbey" is in it!  The footage of Iceland and Scotland is absolutely beautiful, providing a nice visual vacation.  There's even a gesture at criticizing Russia's vicious persecution of gay people.

And while throughout the movie everyone is auto-tuned to death and back to life again, the "song-a-long" medley of Cher, Madonna, and ABBA near the film's midpoint, including a cameo from actual Eurovision contestant Conchita Wurst (and possibly other actual contestants I just didn't recognize?), is so exuberantly fun and over-the-top that it is genuinely, transportingly, entrancingly delightful.

As for the rest of the music in the film: you know what?  I didn't hate it.  I wouldn't choose it either, but like the rest of the film, it was fine.  It also fit the premise, since as far as I can tell, the actual Eurovision is a sensation of brightly-lit and tackily huge theatrics and epic ballads.  In other words, it's a thoroughly indulgent diversion.  Don't we need a bit of that?

I gave the movie a 2.

{Heart}