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The harsh year of 2020 left many without money, homes, and ambition. New Year’s Day encourages individuals to reset their mindset and create new goals to achieve. Though the new year still feels uncertain, entertainment can still function as a valuable asset to one’s emotional and mental state. If you’re looking to feel inspired, make resolutions, or add some upbeat jams to your playlist this year, Netflix’s Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga will uplift your spirits and reignite your drive for ambition. Full of humor, nonsensicalness, beauty, and catchy songs, Eurovision is a soul-restoring movie to enjoy this January.
Approach Goals With Optimism And Resilience
In Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, Icelandic-natives Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams) are two small-town singers with enormous dreams of success. While the life-long friends realize that their goal of performing in the massive European song contest, Eurovision, might seem unattainable, they uplift one another through humor and optimism. Lars’ father, Erick (Pierce Brosnan), vehemently shoots down his son’s daydreams. Despite the town of Húsav´ík’s general condemnation toward Lars’ dreams, they urge Lars and Sigrit to continually play the mindlessly repetitive town favorite song, “Ja Ja Ding Dong,” at the local performance club.
Sigrit continually bolsters Lars’ spirit, regardless of the criticism Lars receives, both from the town and his father, for wasting his life. Sigrit refuses to give up on Lars and finds great contentment in performing with her friend, even in the basement of Lars’ house. Additionally, Sigrit places whimsical faith in mystical elves. She prays to the elves, begging them to help Lars and herself reach the first round of the Eurovision Song Contest for Iceland.
The positive messages in The Story of Fire Saga encourages viewers to demonstrate resiliency and hopefulness, even when unforeseen variables — and people — seem hell-bent on striking you down. Furthermore, Eurovision emphasizes the vital component of maintaining steadfast relationships with those who will lift you up in times of need. Take inspiration from the adorable, sanguine relationship demonstrated by Lars and Sigrit into the new year.
Inspirational Resolve Against Adversity
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is ultimately a film about setting a goal and overcoming adversity to accomplish that goal, but not at the expense of hurting others. Through a hilariously shocking chain of events, Lars and Sigrit enter the Eurovision Song Contest as the Icelandic contestants. Lars evinces nothing but gratitude, and Sigrit fully supports Lars as his duet partner as they climb the ladder to success. But their first performance fails to impress the judges, the audience, and Lars’s father back home. Embarrassing mishaps on-stage and murky sexual encounters threaten to end the pop duo’s entry into the competition just as soon as they receive it.
Challenges always present themselves in life. How an individual chooses to approach and overcome those obstacles determines the end result. Lars and Sigrit, overwhelmed by the enormity of the oppositions, personal conflict, and judgment they face, begin to resent one another. Thankfully, this film relies on comedy and zeal to portray themes of successfully conquering adversity. The two realize their mistakes and eventually mend their relationship as they give an unbelievable final performance in the contest.
Regardless of their initial goals, Lars and Sigrit form new resolutions and gain fresh insights into their individuality through their shared experience. The comedic timing and warmhearted performances of Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell embody the spirit of ethos in Eurovision Song Contest. By the end of the movie, you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle any barrier that impedes your intentions for greatness this year.
The Edifying Power Of Music
Because the movie is an homage to the actual Eurovision Song Contest held in Europe every year, the movie dedicated a large portion of its budget to producing high-caliber songs and immensely captivating musical performances. As a result, the wildly catchy “Ja Ja Ding Dong” and the seamless transitions from singer to singer in the “Song-A-Long” are guaranteed to have you updating your playlist. At the very least, you’ll want to re-watch the visually stunning performances given by the actors at least a few times. No song fails to capture your attention, and the positive influence of music elevates this film as a cinematic experience.
Will Ferrell’s surprisingly decent voice joyously coalesces with the mixture of sonorous notes from Rachel McAdams and Molly Sandén (My Marianne). McAdams does sing some parts, but the main vocals heard from Sigrit belong to the tremendously talented Swedish singer, Molly Sandén. She hits unconceivable notes with a powerful vibrato that will leave your mouth agape. Additionally, eternally catchy songs like “Double Trouble” and the ironically serious “Volcano Man” emerge as pop hits to encourage your feet to dance and get those endorphins flowing. The most chilling song, “Husavik (My Hometown),” features Sandén’s otherworldly talent in a sincerely personal ballad for Sigrit and Lars.
Powerful Songs Resonate In Eurovision
Actor Dan Stevens and famous singer Demi Lovato make an indelible impact on the film. Lovato’s “In The Mirror” showcases her powerhouse vocals while proclaiming a poignantly thematic message about self-reflection and choices. Swedish singer Erik Mjönes provides the vocals for Dan Stevens as competitor Alexander Lemtov in Eurovision Song Contest. Stevens’ “Lion of Love” performance takes advantage of the classically extravagant nature of Eurovision competitions. Mjönes’ voice cascades into your ears while Stevens dances and bursts with intoxicating energy on stage. If stress about the new year has mentally blocked you, this performance will have you laughing, cheering, and maybe even applauding in your home.
Music works as a mental tether, catharsis, or purging of emotion in life and the film. Eurovision Song Contest celebrates its diegetic music on both a small and large scale and the music results in a thrilling, emotional payoff. The new year might feel less intimidating after reveling in the comforting, uplifting, and cheerful songs permeating this film.
New Year, New Ideas, New Songs
Every year presents opportunities for a fresh start, but this year might feel a little different. Even through the uncertainty of the former year, society was able to find pockets of joy in entertainment, creativity, and music. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga praises the visual and audible medium of song and dance with humorous overtures. Re-discover inspiration, hope, and buoyancy with a heartfelt-comedy film to begin the year. And remember: Once you hear “Ja Ja Ding Dong,” you’ll never get the song out of your head!