"Mamma Mia!"
August 17, 2008
I've been looking forward to Mamma Mia since I heard they were making it. Broadway musical, good songs, and ...Meryl Streep?
Even though I'd read all about it, at first, I had a difficult time with Meryl Streep bouncing around a Greek island, singing, in overalls. After about ten minutes I got over that.
And absolutely loved it.
Now, I'm sure you've heard the warnings. If you don't like ABBA, you won't like this movie. I'm half and half here; I love their fast songs, and I get bored by their ballads. This happened in the movie too. I loved the fast songs like "Mamma Mia!" and Take a Chance on Me. On the other hand, I'd happily forgotten about Chiquitita and tried to ignore the song while watching what was happening onscreen.
There are so many things to mention. The scenery and the sunlight are beautiful. Now, I want to visit Greece.
The singing: It's packed with music. There's often not even five minutes between songs.
Singing-wise, the ladies are good to excellent. Meryl Streep does well, Amanda Seyfried, who plays her daughter, as shown in that clip, is fantastic, Christine Baranski and Julie Waters (Mrs. Weasley for you Harry Potter fans. In a change of character, she sings Take a Chance on Me), are also good.
In an interview with IndieLondon:
Pierce Brosnan: Bjorn has said that we looked like three frightened schoolboys coming into the studio that first morning.
Colin Firth sings okay; Pierce Brosnan...
Let's be kind and change the subject.
The film bears no relationship to reality, and that's part of what makes it fun. The Greek chorus is, literally, a Greek chorus - joining in for no particular reason on the songs. I love the scene where Meryl Streep is striding through the town, singing "Dancing Queen," and, eventually, all of the women drop what they're doing to join her. Everyone ends up on the dock, dancing together. Even for a movie musical (and I love them) this film is unrealistic.
And it works. It's great fun. Here's another example:
One ballad I do like, and which I hadn't hear before, is "Slipping Through My Fingers" which the mother sings while helping her daughter get ready for the wedding (clip here). I was a teary mess by the end of that one.
I also love Amanda Seyfried's version of Thank You for the Music which played over the credits.
Christine Baranski has a wonderful number with a male chorus, "Does Your Mother Know?," (music only, unfortunately, here).
If you intend to see the movie, you should definitely stay through the first part of the credits (you have learned that from Pixar films, right?!).
Those who have seen the movie may continue...
Chloe loved this movie! I'll wait for it to come to DVD or Dish on demand because I'm too lazy to go to the movies.
I love your review. I'll know what to watch for.
Posted by: DCup | August 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Reading your review makes me want to watch it again! I can't wait for the DVD release.
Posted by: Carrie K. | August 18, 2008 at 02:16 AM
I love the comment about the men acting like the Andrew Sisters--so cute! And yes, it wouldn't have been right without Waterloo!
Posted by: Maryann | August 18, 2008 at 12:10 PM
It was all good fun, wasn't it?!
Posted by: joan | August 18, 2008 at 05:08 PM
DCup: Thank you! We're planning on seeing it again, eventually.
Carrie: To buy the DVD or not to buy the DVD... (grin).
MaryAnn: The guys were brave to take this on!
Joan: Lots of fun!
Posted by: M Light | August 21, 2008 at 10:48 AM
i love the film mamma mia!! does anyone know where i can buy one of their funky outfits they wear at the very end of the film? id quite like one like sophie's!! please let me know!! x x
Posted by: Lauren | February 25, 2009 at 12:38 PM