Movie Man Darian Watching All Night Long

Eurovision Song Contest  The Story Of Fire Saga 

This is one of the best comedies and heartwarming films of the year! When I first heard about this film with Ferrell attached to it I’ll be honest I thought this film was going to be awful. Now I only say that as his track record within the last ten years haven’t been so promising as I find his last really good film was the film the Other Guys and ever since then he hasn’t channeled the comedic genius I know he’s capable of but instead has settled for mediocre films. Now this looked just like that it seemed interesting but my expectations weren’t high and then I saw the film. Wow is this a terrific film I was so wrong to have so little faith in it the acting by both Farrell and McAdams is fantastic giving great comedic and dramatically strong performances that are so entertaining to watch onscreen. The film has this fine balance between comedy and drama all the way through and it was a beautiful mix of tones that really worked well together. The film introduces the world to a whole different kind of music many may not be familiar with at the same time what I respect about the film is that it’s not poking fun at Eurovision but instead is a celebration of its music and the wonderful togetherness of the event it is. The film was surprisingly emotional at times that was effective while giving great genuine laughs. Eurovision Song Contest Of Fire Saga is Ferrell best film in years and Rachel McAdams delivers one of her finest performances yet this film is a incredibly fun and touching film. 

Firstly, The tone of this film is greatly executed and one I also didn’t expect. The film comes across as a over the top comedy that at first glance you’ve seen a film like this tons of times beforehand but as the film does progress it has a surprising amount of heart and depth to it I didn’t expect from a Will Ferrell film. As the film yes is incredibly hilarious but has a massive amount of dramatic heaviness that weighed out the comedy in an even balance that really benefited the story. The film is inspirational and really moving in a way that never seems forced or cheesy but feels earned   The comedy never gets tiresome and knows exactly when to pull back and then knows when to mix the heavy emotion with some humour that every time worked. The way the film then expresses the heavy emotional beats of the story was very moving. As theirs some emotional scenes in this film that I’ve never seen Ferrell channel in a film since Stranger Than Fiction and it was a great way to see him really show another side to him. Overall the tones executed in this film of comedy and dramatic weight was a fantastic mix that brought both to the surface in a great even balance that really worked for the story that was being told. 

Secondly, The performances by Ferrell and McAdams is marvellous! The two leads of this film provide powerfully entertaining performances that are impossible not to love. Rachel McAdams brings a very emotionally gentle and vulnerable performance that will have you grinning and crying. She’s a force to be reckoned with as she brings the emotional energy yes but also is able to channel some incredibly funny comedic sides to her that I haven’t seen from her in sometime. Then you have Farrell who gives what I think is his best performance in a decade as he is a fantastic actor but hasn’t chosen the best projects over the last couple of years to channel his comedic genius. Here not only does the story and role fit for his brand of humour but he also goes into territory emotionally we have seen very rarely from him and shows great sides to him that is so compelling to watch. Then you have the great hilarious supporting turn given by Dan Stevens who plays this flamboyant and charming character that is a scene stealer and you wanna talk about channeling other sides to themselves I’ve never seen Stevens go so head deep into a comedic performance like this and wow is it hilarious and side splitting entertaining to watch unfold onscreen. Everyone else all give strong performances in this film but it’s Ferrell and McAdams that win you over with their compelling hilarious but also emotionally strong performances.

Lastly, Eurovision Song Contest The Story Of Fire Saga is one of the best films I’ve seen this year as well as one of the funniest comedies of the year! It’s definitely the best film Ferrell has done since the Other Guys showing great depth to himself which we rarely see. Then McAdams delivers a emotionally and comedic performance of great beauty. The film from first glance seems over the top but the charm and pure heart of its story will win you over having you laughing cheering and feeling inspired and even maybe bring a tear to you even. This is a fantastic film I’ll definitely be rewatching and everyone should check out. 

Rated PG - 13 : for crude sexual material including full nude sculptures, some comic violent images, and language

This film revolves a two band named act called Fire Saga who dream of one day winning one day wining Eurovision Song Contest and when their chosen they try their hardest to fulfil their dreams. 

Will Ferrell : Ferrell gives one of his finest performances of his career! Will has I have mentioned already two times has not exactly given high quality performances in the last while. As here he is able to work in a role that counters to his brand of humour and really explore the depths of the character in a way we hadn’t really seen before or rarely have. Here he plays this dreamer from Iceland who despite people constantly bringing him down will follow his dreams and make sure to see them through. He plays it actually quite dramatic which is not what Will usually does. He usually approach’s it comedically and then sometimes has dramatic aspects in the role he plays but this time it’s the other way around. Here their is a tenderness and vulnerability he wears on his sleeve that was incredibly moving to see onscreen. As you can see from the look in his eyes the sheer amount of emotional pain that he’s been through and how he tries to ride above it by trying to stay optimistic and take the high road. Then the way he will deliver his lines you can hear the aching pain and sheer passion through his voice and the sheer desperation of how badly he doesn’t want to be seen as a joke and the brutal honesty he brings to the screen is sheer genius. Farrell then can bring great elements of humour as well as their are fantastic scenes that made me side splitting laughing as he knows when the right moment is to make a joke or a sarcastic comment and make it land and it worked every time. You can see him having so much fun onscreen but also see that he wants to explore other sides to him some may not have seen from him before and it results in an emotionally authentic but also comedic performance that is so captivating to see overall it is definitely one of Will Ferrells best performances. 

Rachel McAdams : McAdams gives a performance of great tender truth! Rachel McAdams has not given a comedic performance of this level in years. So seeing her return to the roots of what made her famous was great fun to see but she doesn’t just play it for laughs she brings a dramatic weight to it as well. As in the film Ferrell really takes a lot to heart and is the one who isn’t afraid to show his pain on the outside and really at times let his emotions get the best of him. Rachel’s character is the opposite as she dose not express her heartache and frustration which she constantly goes through but keeps it together. As she’s very emotionally held back in the first bit of this film and what’s great about her performance is she’s very emotive through her eyes and the delivery of her dialogue. She may not say it but you can see how she feels even when she doesn’t say it through words she fantastic at conveying her honest feeling without at times not even saying a word. Then their are moments where she’s bottled all of this up for so so long and just release’s it in a rant of sheer emotional rawness that you can see her swell up with great emotion. She is amazing in this film and really shows many sides to her we see her at her highest and at her lowest and she brings a honest look to both of those shifts in emotions when she’s at both of them.  Their is also moments where you see her deliver some truly hilarious moments of comedy and she does it in a way that’s not trying to force you to laugh she’s very subtle with her comedy and I love that as I find it more authentic. You can also tell she’s having such fun onscreen as she soaks up every bit of this role and gives it her absolute all. It’s definitely one of Rachel McAdams best performances I’ve seen of here by far she’s incredible in this film at being able to be emotionally honest but also incredibly funny all at once in a really entertaining performance. 

David Dobkin : Dobkin once again directs another captivating film about the human condition! Dobkin directed one of my favourite films of 2014 the Judge which was very much focused on the characters rather then the story. He let the drive of the characters move the story along from what I see he loves making character piece films. Here he does it once more by exploring themes of following your dreams, getting up when getting knocked down and their very real topics he tackles in a very honest way. He is able to bring the elements of comedy in a fun way that never felt like it was to much or ever got annoying. He knew when to pull back from the comedy and to let the dramatic aspects of the story take over the scene he always had an even balance of tones which was perfect. As well he was able to get great performances from his two leads and the entire cast as well. The film felt very immersive into the world of Eurovision if never felt like it was making fun of the event or the people but more like a celebration of the event. It really educates people on a whole event they may not even be familiar with which I think is fantastic. While also delving into some very real topics that are heavy handed dramatically while also being funny all at once he directed it greatly crafting a truly fun time and a film that leaves you feeling good Dobkin once again has crafted another fantastic character piece of a film that will have you smiling all the way through once again David has done it again.