Film

'Mamma Mia!' Super Trouper Fun

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Friday, July 18, 2008

Not having seen Mamma Mia! – The Broadway musical – I must admit that my first reaction to the movie release was a bit subdued. And perhaps that was the best thing because ‘Mamma Mia!’ The Movie is one of the most fun musical pictures I’ve seen. It’s rare that the musical format can be entertaining and fun on the big screen – some have enjoyed great success, ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Rent’, come to mind. Others don’t have the same luck. Fortunately, for director Phyllida Lloyd her translation of the theatre musical onto film is flawless and enjoyable.

The story is very simple – sort of – an independent single mother Donna (Meryl Streep) is about to let go of her only daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). The spirited young woman is about to get married but unknown to her mother is that she has invited three men that could possible be her father. Thrown in the mix two of Donna’s long time friends with her sordid past and ‘Mamma Mia!’ is truly a Greek comedy of sorts – did I mention the film take places in an idyllic Greek island. From then on between the dialogue lines, the songs of ABBA take on to move the story forward to its final conclusion. On and all, it can be a hard task to make other people’s song and lyrics move a storyline – recent films like ‘Across the Universe’ tried but failed at delivering the formula. Mamma Mia! takes advantage of the lyrics and music to make the situations in the film – the heartfelt and hilarious ones – memorable and entertaining; and yes maybe a bit campy.

The acting is simply superb. Keep in mind that these are some serious dramatic actors in the mix who are definitely having fun hamming it up for the musical and storyline. Meryl Streep has shown not only to be a great actor – but a chameleon who can take on any character. If there was ever any doubt that Streep could embody a woman in her late 40’s this film will clear the air. Christine Baranski and Julie Walters are phenomenal and each of them gets their share of screen time to have fun as Donna’s best friends. The men in question here – of possible have fathered Sophie – Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellen Skarsgard embody a different type of men. The free-spirited, the lone-wolf and the conscious planner who were in Donna’s life twenty or so years ago and have returned bringing with them fond memories of love and sorrow back to her life. The end result will simply spoil the fun and I’m not about to do that. But definitely look for a surprise twist from the infamous original Mr. Darcy in the film.

‘Mamma Mia!’ is the most entertaining musical picture for this summer. The story and music and lyrics from ABBA will definitely cheer the movie going audiences. If there’s ever a must-see film this summer ‘Mamma Mia!’ The Movie is definitely the one not to be missed.

Check out ‘Mamma Mia’ Official Site