Sweet, touching and feel - good romantic comedy!

Rating: 8/10 (28 June 2020)

This is a wonderful feel good romantic comedy starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as a fictitious Icelandic duo "Fire Saga", Lars and Sigrit, who inadvertently end up representing their country in the Eurovision song contest. Although often ridiculed by even their own town folk, they nonetheless ultimately bring pride to their country and their hometown.
The movie has been panned by some critics, who I felt kind of missed the point. Perhaps they were expecting a more traditional Will Ferrell comedy. But essentially, the movie is a winking tribute to the sometimes gaudy and goofy world of the eurovision contest, and also a romantic comedy (as Sigrit is in love with lars, who is oblivious to it all). Pic also features many cameos from contest winners who do a raucous sing-a-long in a nightclub, Demi Lovato and there are numerous fun and rousing musical numbers throughout it's runtime; meanwhile, Dan Stevens shows up in a slinky and uproarious turn as a Russian singer. Pierce Brosnan does a fine icelandic accent as Lars' fisherman father. There are some funny bits as well, including a laugh out loud moment involving elves. Yes, elves.
The songs written for the fictional band such as Volcano Man and Ja Ja ding dong are suitably silly, while "Double Trouble" and especially the soaring closing number "Husavik" is a real show stopper and a rousing capper to a completely feel good movie.
So best to ignore some of the critics; especially during these dreary times of pandemic and lockdowns, it is great to watch such a heartwarming, funny, tender and uplifting movie. Sure, it is schmaltz, but it's high quality schmaltz. When McAdams sings Husavik at the end, you will likely cheer.