There are lots of reasons to dislike Mamma Mia! The Movie.The film, which is based on the popular and long-running Broadway musical, which is in turn based on the pop music of Abba, is basically a thin story that centers around a young woman who’s about to get married. She decides to invite the three men who might be her father to her wedding on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Many hijinks ensue.
What’s not to like? Well, the story is silly - it centers around a problem that could be resolved in the beginning, if the daughter had just been honest with her mom. The story has to stretch more than once to accommodate an Abba song that doesn’t really fit. While the setting is beautiful (much of the film was shot on location), the direction doesn’t really make the most of the dance numbers, and too much of the film is shot in close-up, which is fine for TV, but a bit much in the theater. Also, the story actually centers more around the middle-aged cast than around the young bride.
But despite all that, I have to admit that I had a great time watching this movie! The sheer energy and exuberance of the show and (especially) the music carry you along, and the performances are sweet, touching and very funny. It’s great to see a show that actually does focus on a mature cast, and gives them a lot to do.
In fact, it’s amazing how many real-looking people there are in the cast. Like any good musical, at any time anyone can burst into song, and that makes for some very funny scenes indeed, with “Dancing Queen” being the best example.
It’s also one of those films that makes you think, “Is there anything Meryl Streep can’t do?” She’s not only one of our greatest actors, she’s also a heck of a fine singer.
I suppose if you don’t care for Abba’s music, then you might want to avoid this movie. But judging by the crowd in the show I attended, there’s a reason why Mamma Mia! has been a hit for so long - it’s just a heck of a lot of fun! I defy you to walk out of the theater without a smile on your face.
(Oh, and don’t be too quick to leave at the end - there’s a priceless bit during the first part of the credits you’ll want to see.)
Highly recommended!
12 comments:
After Laura saw the show Friday night, she texted me (is that a word?) and described "Mama Mia" in this way - "it's on crack."
I think that about sums it up.
Ha! I think that sums it up nicely! It's a movie like no other, that's for sure. But hey, I enjoyed it - go figure. I didn't expect that!
haven't seen the movie, but i saw the show on broadway, and had some of the some complaints you make about the plot, story line, etc.
i'll have to warn you though, i've only found a couple of people who agree with me.
yes, the music is good, but i don't think i could sit through the movie.
Stephen, it's true that the show has a lot of devoted fans, so they probably won't agree with you - but after seeing the movie, I'd like to see the stage show just to compare the two.
I saw the stage show in Vegas a few years ago. I thought it was terrific, for what it was -- somewhere between a true musical and a review.
Mark, I've heard the Vegas shows are usually chopped down a lot (for some reason they want people to spend more time gambling and less time watching shows) - but then, the movie seems fine despite have 30 minutes cut out of the musical's running time.
I really didn't understand Denise's comment until I actually saw the movie.
As much as I loved the music and everything...Mamma Mia is indeed on crack.
Hey, you won't hear me arguing! But that (shall we say) high-spirited nature is all part of the fun of the movie!
The Vegas show was full length -- I think Phantom has started the wave of the 90 minute musical so that the crowds still get out of the theatre early enough to lose $$ at the tables.
Mark, I think you're right. I've heard scary stories about the cuts they've made on shows to make them shorter. You'd think they'd attract more people by offering the real deal, but as you said, they're more interested in keeping the bets flowing.
this is one of the few plays i've actually seen, which ended up being great... it's funny to think of ol' Pierce taking a stab at singing, yeeesh
Movie Buff, It was something of a shock when Pierce burst into song. I didn't think he was as bad as some reviewers said, but I'd agree that his voice was, perhaps, a somewhat-odd match for Abba songs. But what the heck, he's Pierce Brosnan - he can do anything!
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