Friday Fun Song: "Pres des remparts de Seville" from Carmen - Julia Migenes-Johnson
"Mamma Mia!" Tony Performance

"Mamma Mia!"

MammaMia2 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. 

MammaMia4 The guys... 

In an interview with IndieLondon:

Colin Firth: Yes, we came together, got to know each other and it’s how we became such a family. But I think blind terror is a very bonding quality. I showed up on the first day of pre-record terrified of Benny and Bjorn [from ABBA]. I’d heard they were hard task-masters and they’d booked three days to record a three minute song. My mind boggled as to how they would fill those days. I imagined myself in floods of tears while they shook their heads and forced me to do another take. But I turned round to face Pierce and I was staring into a vortex of fear and it was the same with Stellan. And I suddenly realised we weren’t alone. Within half an hour we were like the Andrews sisters around the microphone…

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.

MammaMia1 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:


MammaMia3 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...

MammaMia5 I love the 70's outfits at the end!  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture with the guys.

Meryl Streep playing the air guitar!

I was waiting for "Waterloo" for the whole movie.  I was disappointed when they got to the credits without singing it.  I was so happy when they did!

Mr. Darcy is what?!

Comments

DCup

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.

Carrie K.

Reading your review makes me want to watch it again! I can't wait for the DVD release.

Maryann

I love the comment about the men acting like the Andrew Sisters--so cute! And yes, it wouldn't have been right without Waterloo!

joan

It was all good fun, wasn't it?!

M Light

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!

Lauren

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

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