Mamma Mia!

Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper

Dir. Phyllida Lloyd
Scr. Catherine Johnson

What fun! Mammia Mia is a movie for musical-lovers – for people who don’t cringe when characters burst into song, for people not concerned too much with realism, for cinema-goers who like to leave the theatre with a grin on their faces. Someone like me, in other words. And while I’m not the hugest ABBA fan, it’s always a comfort and a treat to know the songs being belted out on screen. This film isn’t perfect by any means, but it might just be the most fun you’ll have on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Mamma Mia is based on the hugely popular stage musical of the same name, which uses the songs of ABBA to tell the story of soon-to-be-wed Sophie, who lives with her mother, Donna, on a small Greek island. After finding her mother’s diary from the year before she was born, Sophie figures out that her father is one of three men. So, desperate to know who her father is, Sophie invites all three to the wedding, sure that she will know “him” when she sees him. When all three possible fathers actually turn up – Sam the architect, Harry the banker, Bill the adventure writer – chaos and hilarity ensues.

This film is a visual treat. Some of the filming was done on the Greek Islands of Skopelos and Skiathos. But, I was surprised to find out that most of the movie was filmed on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios. You certainly can’t tell – this film will make you want to move to a Greek island, or at least plan your next vacation there. And while the plot is more than a little ludicrous, you’ll easily forgive an outrageous story because this film looks simply gorgeous. And, least we forget, it’s a musical – the most surreal and ridiculous genre to have ever been conceived. And often the most pleasurable.

The youngsters in Mamma Mia are great. Seyfried (who plays fatherless Sophie) possesses a wonderful, pure voice and has a lovely chemistry with her onscreen mother (Streep) – it’s no stretch of the imagination that they are mother and daughter. Cooper (Sky, the fiancé), is likeable and cute and has a strong voice. It’s clear the young half of the ensemble were cast at least partly for their musical talent. The older set, well, they are more of a mixed bag. But I have to give them all an ‘A’ for effort. Brosnan (as Sam, possible father #1) looks slightly terrified when he is singing. His voice isn’t strong, but it is sweet and he’s a good enough actor to inject emotion into the tune and make it moving. And he’s absolutely dishy, which helps. Firth (as Harry, possible father #2) and Skarsgard (as Bill, possible father #3) have weaker voices and, wisely, aren’t given a lot of solo singing to do. But, again, these men are experienced, fine actors and they admirably manage to fake it. Firth is, as usual, gorgeous and very funny indeed. Skarsgard has a wonderful twinkle in his eye which lets you know he is having a ball. Even Benny and Bjorn make cameo appearances, alongside their Executive Producer and Composer credits.

The older women in the cast more than make up for any lack of musical talent from Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgard. Walters and Baranski (as Donna’s best friends Rosie and Tanya) are simply wonderful. Their characters are like chalk and cheese, and this plays out with much humour. And, man, that Baranski can belt out a tune. Walters is not as strong, but she makes up for any weakness in her voice with her great comic ability. Much, much, much credit, however, must go to Meryl Streep (as Donna) in this film. Her acting is spot on. And her singing, well, it blew me away. When she sings “The Winner Takes It All” to Brosnan, I swear I had goose-bumps. Casting her in this film was inspired.

Mamma Mia is an energetic and fun frolic on an island paradise with some quality actors and a whole lot of instantly recognisable songs – in other words, a jolly good film. Some of the singing might be shaky and the plot might be silly, but everyone is clearly having the time of their lives. As was I. Highly recommend if you’re a fan of the musical genre.

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Rosie: Typical, you wait 20 years for a father and then three show up at once.