CHRIS HUNNEYSETT
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA
Netflix today
There’s music and mayhem in this Eurovision comedy which is as stupidly camp and delightfully daft as the contest itself, and where off-stage shenanigans mean it’s not just the songs which are being murdered.
At times very funny while always being affectionate to the long-running contest, this is a musical underdog story that combines elements of mock rockumentary Spinal Tap and Mel Brooks’ The Producers.
And like the Mamma Mia! sequel, it’s at its best when it channels the irresistible spirit of pop legend Cher.
Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams star as Icelandic singers Lars and Sigrit, who in controversial circumstances are given the
MILITARY WIVES
Digital Monday, disc July 6 chance to represent their country at Eurovision.
After her scene-stealing performance in 2018’s comedy Game Night, it’s no surprise McAdams is a fabulously earnest and sweet soul who still believes in elves, while Ferrell – famous for playing an elf – is once again playing an overgrown man child with daddy issues.
His screen daddy is played by Pierce Brosnan, which might make any of us feel insecure, and Pierce adopts an Icelandic accent which is far more convincing than fellow 007 Sean Connery’s would have been. Another plus is Brosnan isn’t tempted to sing – we suffered enough of that in the Mamma Mia! movies.
Lars and Sigrit’s songs, and those of the other competitors, are perfectly pitched
Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan go to war with each other in this emotional feelgood comedy drama from the director of 1997’s famous British success, The Full Monty.
They play the combative mother hens scratching out battle lines as they struggle to put an all-female amateur choir through singing boot camp. It’s an attempt to boost morale while their soldier spouses are on a six-month tour of Afghanistan, but squabbling, stage fright and the betrayal of a confidence threatens their prestigious appearance at the Royal Albert Hall as part of a Remembrance Day concert.
Ferrell and McAdams as Lars and Sigrit
Eurovision cheese, and delivered with winning sincerity, impressive vocals and some outrageous showmanship.
Volcano Man is an anthemic wonder, while Ja Ja Ding Dong is a unique sing-a-long example of Icelandic folk rock pop. Real-life Eurovision presenter Graham Norton keeps a straight face playing himself despite some preposterous dance routines, malfunctioning costumes and a runaway giant hamster wheel. Also watch out for Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens as a louche Russian singer.
This year’s contest was cancelled, of course, so if you’re in need of a Eurovision fix you’ll love this, which at its best is a pop-tastic piece of ridiculously sequinned escapist fun.
FANTASY ISLAND
Digital Monday, disc July 13
Dan Stevens’ Russian
It’s a terrific concept to take the 1970s TV show about a mysterious tropical paradise where customers paid to have their dreams come true and re-invent it as a contemporary supernatural horror, especially as it’s produced by the team behind the successful The Purge and Insidious franchises. However, they manage to take this dream of an idea and turn it into a series of mediocre chills.
Michael Pena steps into the shoes of Ricardo Montalban as the Master of Ceremonies, but has to cope without his diminutive assistant, Tattoo, and his catchphrase “The plane, the plane”.
IRRESISTIBLE
Amazon Prime today
Steve Carell brings charm and humour to his role as a ruthless spin doctor called Gary in this over-amiable political comedy written and directed by Jon Stewart, best known as host of US satirical news programme The Daily Show.
Gary’s a political fish out of water in rural Wisconsin where he’s hoping to boost his party’s presence in the opposition heartlands by persuading Chris Cooper’s principled yet reluctant retired Marine colonel to run for mayor, despite having no previous political experience.
Rose Byrne has rarely been better than as Gary’s delightfully acid-tongued opposite number. Their filthy mouthed rivalry is the highlight of the film and I wish we’d seen a lot more of her.
Stewart is influenced by such films as 1939’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, 1940’s The Great McGinty and 1972’s The Candidate, and his script merrily criticises the obscene amount of cash spent on campaigning for corrupting politics, and lays bare just how extraordinarily broken the US political system is.
FANNY LYE DELIVER’D
Digital today, disc TBA
THE INVISIBLE MAN
Digital today, disc Monday
Carell as Gary
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The songs are perfectly pitched Eurovision cheese with showmanship
A makeover is given to HG Wells’ 1897 classic story in this slick, scary and entertaining slice of Friday night popcorn horror which delivers gaslighting from beyond the grave.
As well as addressing contemporary concerns such as techbillionaires, online stalking and computer hacking, the story is given fresh impetus by being told from the victim’s point of view.
Elisabeth Moss gives a wonderfully twitchy award-worthy performance as Cecilia who, after her abusive ex is found dead, sees her sanity called into question following a campaign of terror by an unseen assailant.