Release Date: July 18, 2008 Studio: Universal Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Romantic •
Comedy Director: Phyllida Lloyd Writers: Catherine Johnson Cast: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Rachel McDowall, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski Synopsis: The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA. The Review: What happens when a young girl about to be married wants to find out the true identity of her father? She commits a single mom’s nightmare and invites three possible candidates to her Greek island nuptials.
The amazing Meryl Streep stars as Donna the mother, Amanda Seyfried is her daughter Sophie, possible fathers are Pierce Brosnon (Sam), Colin Firth (Harry),and Stellan Skarsgard (Bill).Christine Baranski and Julie Walters play Donna's best friends Tonya and Rosie.
When Sophie finds her moms diary from the month she was conceived she finds out that she has three possible dads. Sophie is sure she will know her dad when she meets him. Of course after spending time with all three while keeping them away from her mom she is endeared to them all and doesn’t know what to do. I am not going to spoil the story by telling you the outcome. I will just say is that everyone gets their happy ending complete with an ABBA sing along and silver platform boots.
Mama Mia has come to the big screen and it is the best way to spend 108 minutes this summer. This heavily anticipated chick summer flick brings the goods.
From beginning to end this is a leave your cares at the door, sit back and relax let us entertain you movie. When I first heard about the musical Mama Mia I wasn’t sure how it could work. How is the music of ABBA relevant to making a great story?
Well my questions were answered last Sunday when I saw the production in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay resort. The performances were fabulous and the production values were excellent. I was pleasantly surprised to get to see the movie three days later.
As soon as I was walked out of the theatre in Vegas all I could say was "I can’t wait to see this on the big screen".
The best songs from the film for me were "I Have A Dream"(Who knew Karen from Mean girls has such a beautiful voice?) And "The Winner Takes It All" The passion and emotion that is takes to sing this song, it could only be Meryl Streep. She made me tear up like a baby. When recording for the soundtrack Ms. Streep even went to Stockholm and performed it in one take. Benny Andersson (former ABBA member and co-composer) declared her a "Miracle"
One disappointing scene for me in the movie had nothing to do with the performance itself. When Donna and Sam perform “S.O.S”, it is actually a very moving emotional scene in the stage production as well as it should be on screen. When Pierce Brosnon starts to sing about half the audience started to laugh. I was really shocked because I didn’t think it was a bad performance. He might have sounded a little too forced but not laughable.
I half heartedly have to say that I enjoyed Christine Baranskis performance of “Does Your Mother Know?” I found her singing a little too operatic for my tastes. She is teased by her girlfriends for being a married so many times. I just cant imagine her being a man eater with her skinny legs, flat chest, and the tightest face lift that leaves her eyes looking like pin dots on a stretched tanned canvas.
As a lover of musicals I really enjoy all the big screen adaptations that have been coming out in recent years. Even though some really miss the target for me. I can appreciate that these films reach out to young audiences that don’t have the means to see Broadway productions.
Its wedding season and I can honestly say this is the only wedding I would want to be invited to this year. Gorgeous breathtaking views of Greek islands, Swedish pop music, giggly fun dance sequences and Meryl Streep. Who could ask for anything more? Rating:
