Eric D. Snider
Mamma Mia!
Movie Review
"Mamma Mia!"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: D
Rating: PG-13
Released: Friday, July 18, 2008
Directed by:
Cast:
The enormous success of the stage musical "Mamma Mia!" (enthusiasm theirs), which uses ABBA songs as its framework, has always puzzled me. ABBA's songs are catchy, to be sure, and I have several in my iTunes. But they're not exactly deep, and they certainly don't tell stories or describe characters. How can you build a musical around them?
Turns out you can't! Not a good one, anyway. Or maybe you can and these people just didn't. Whatever. I suspect the live show capitalizes on its exuberance to delight its audiences, but very little of that energy has been translated to the film (directed by Phyllida Lloyd, who also staged the Broadway version). Only in the "Dancing Queen" number, transformed into an ode to Girl Power (defined here as "getting drunk and sleeping around as much as you want") did I get a sense of the feel-good enthusiasm that must permeate the stage show. The rest of the movie thinks it's being high-spirited when it's really just being hyperactive. (What's the difference? One is annoying, one isn't.)
Many lighthearted musicals have frilly plots, and I can overlook a few small gaps here and there, but the story cobbled together for "Mamma Mia!" is particularly superficial and imbecilic. It relies on stupid misunderstandings and a complete refusal on everyone's part to communicate with anyone else. It's what Roger Ebert calls the Idiot Plot, where all the problems would be solved in the first 10 minutes if all the characters weren't such morons. A story like this drives me crazy.
Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is a 20-year-old woman who's lived her whole life with her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), on a scenic Greek isle where the two run a rustic hotel. Sophie never knew her father, and in fact Donna isn't even sure who it is. She was a bit wild in those days, and she slept with three different guys around the time that Sophie was conceived. Now, on the eve of her wedding, Sophie has secretly invited all three fellas to the island, on the assumption that she'll know which one is her father the minute she lays eyes on him.
That's pretty stupid, obviously, and it doesn't work. The men all show up -- travel writer Bill (Stellan Skarsgard), business-y guy Sam (Pierce Brosnan), and other business-y guy Harry (Colin Firth) -- and Sophie is stymied. What's more, she doesn't want Donna seeing that her old flames are here until the actual wedding, 24 hours from now. So the guys have to hide.
Donna finds them anyway, of course, and for some reason believes their stupid lies about why they're here, i.e., NOT because Sophie invited them. Now Donna thinks she has to hide the guys from Sophie, for surely her daughter would be traumatized to see all of her potential fathers at once. Oh, and none of the guys realize that they might be Sophie's father, or catch on to why Sophie invited them. When everything does sink in, each man individually comes to believe he must be Sophie's father, and each separately tells her he'll walk her down the aisle at the wedding, and Sophie is too inert and dimwitted to say, "Wait, wait, hang on, let's sort this out." Instead, she lets each guy think that he's the one. Hilarity!
When Sophie's fiance, Sky (Dominic Cooper), learns that she invited her three dads to the wedding, he gets upset. He thinks that was the whole reason she wanted to have this big dumb wedding -- he wanted to elope -- and he's angry that she tricked him into it. He storms off. The next time they see each other is at the altar, and the fight they had is never referred to. So why include it at all, especially considering it was such a ridiculous fight to begin with?
As you can see, the screenplay, adapted by Catherine Johnson from her own stage version, is an absolute mess, a symphony of wrong notes and dumb contrivances. Making it worse is the clumsy way the ABBA songs have been crammed into it. Remember, these songs were not originally written for these characters or these situations. One of them says the men's romances with Donna (supposedly a former hippie) were during "the time of flower power," but if Sophie is 20, then Donna was sowing her wild oats in the mid '80s, not the early '70s. The lyric needs only a minor change to fix it, but no -- the song appears exactly as ABBA wrote it, whether it makes any sense or not.
At best, the songs kind of apply to whatever's going on when they are sung, as when the girls at the bachelorette party sing "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" while they molest all males within arm's reach. At worst, Donna is giving a heartfelt rendition of "The Winner Takes It All," and you can tell it's quite an emotional moment for her, yet you have no idea why it's so emotional because the lyrics are just generic pop-ballad lyrics and you don't see how they relate to the situation.
No, I misspoke. The worst is when a character will change the previously established elements of her personality just to sing a song. For example, there's headstrong Donna, declaring right up front that she doesn't need a man in her life, then immediately singing "Money, Money, Money," about how it would be awesome if she met a rich guy who would take care of her. Or at the end, when Donna's independent, tired-of-men pal Rosie (Julie Walters) suddenly throws herself at Bill. Why? Well, I imagine the conversation in the studio boardroom went like this:
STUDIO EXEC #1: The movie's almost over, but no one has sung "Take a Chance on Me" yet!
STUDIO EXEC #2: Simple. We'll have Rosie sing it to Bill.
PERSON WITH COMMON SENSE: But Rosie has been well established as a woman who doesn't need men to feel good about herself. She has no use for men. Why would she sing a song in which she desperately tells a guy, "If you change your mind, I'm the first in line ... If you need me, let me know, I'm gonna be around"?
STUDIO EXEC #1: How did you get in here?
STUDIO EXEC #2: (pushing a button on the phone) Security!
Meryl Streep might occasionally make bad movies like this one, but she never gives anything less than a full performance. Here she is completely committed to her character, even though the character is thinly drawn and buffoonish. She's got a terrific voice, too (a compliment I cannot extend to Pierce Brosnan). Christine Baranski, playing Donna's man-hungry, plastic-surgery-enthusiast friend Tanya, is also a welcome sight.
As Sophie, Amanda Seyfried has the advantage of being pretty and having a lovely singing voice. Her character is borderline retarded, but Seyfried almost makes me like her. Frankly, if you really love ABBA, I think you'd be better served staying home and listening to an ABBA CD.
Grade: D
Rated PG-13, a naked butt, some naughty innuendo
1 hr., 48 min.
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
This work may not be transmitted via the Internet, nor reproduced in any other way, without written consent from Eric D. Snider.
This item has 78 comments
July 18, 2008 at 3:50 am
Ah, nothing beats a great D review from you ... classic, every time. I'm glad I had no desire to see this movie, though I'm tempted now to watch and laugh. There has to at least be a good drinking game in there somewhere. Drink everytime somebody acts stupid!
On second thought ... from the sound of it, I don't think my liver could handle that.
July 18, 2008 at 9:23 am
Someone else also complained about the "timeline problem," wondering how Sophie could have been conceived during "the time of flower power" in the early '70s and yet be only 20 years old today.
Do we know that "today" means 2008? The stage musical premiered back in 1999, and its plot was presumably dreamed up even earlier. I haven't seen the movie, but if it were set in, say, 1993, this minor but annoying problem would disappear.
July 18, 2008 at 12:56 pm
"I haven't seen the movie, but if it were set in, say, 1993, this minor but annoying problem would disappear."
There were some minor references to the Internet in the movie, and the Internet was yet to be a wide world phenomenon back in 1993, so it's safe to assume it's set at least in the 21st century. There was also a reference to Johnny Rotten (or was it Sid Vicious...can't remember), so you think they would have met by at least the late 70s. A minor problem it is--I really didn't think much of the time setting when I saw the movie--but you have to see the movie to see how corny some of the hippie references really were.
July 18, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Another review I read claims the movie is set in 1999, which means Sophie would have been conceived in the late 70s (does that still count as the "flower power" era?).
I listened to the soundtrack once and gave up on it when I realized that I had no idea which characters were singing the songs or why. Good to have confirmation that I'm not missing much.
July 18, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Regarding ABBA - some of their songs are deep, just not the famous ones or the ones in "Mamma Mia!". Their 8th and final album in particular, "The Visitors", is a masterpiece, full of darkness, loneliness and nihilism. The few singles they released after "The Visitors" before finally splitting up continued this trend ("The Day Before You Came", "Cassandra"). Their more "fun" songs are great too, obviously, but the mature, 1980s ABBA is not to be overlooked...
July 18, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Thanks a lot, Eric! Now I'll never get my husband to take me to it...
Bummer! I was really looking forward to this movie, but since I usually agree with your ratings, I probably wouldn't like it, either.
July 18, 2008 at 7:57 pm
1. Enthusiasm theirs, indeed.
2. None of those things will not stop my visiting teachers from suggesting that we all go see it together. It's a MUSICAL, which means that it's LDS-family-friendly!!!! Right?!?!?!
3. "Mamma Mia!" marks the fourth time I've thought "Colin Firth really needs to fire his agent."
July 18, 2008 at 8:11 pm
"None of those things will not stop my visiting teachers from suggesting that we all go see it together."
Sorry... In reference to "those things" I meant things like the idea of "Who's-yo-daddy?" plot line, the movie's definition of "Girl Power" and the "naked butt/naughty innuendo" warning.
July 18, 2008 at 8:12 pm
i agree with eric the movie was a let down and empty
July 18, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Its too bad when our society cannot simply enjoy a movie for the fun of it. This movie is fun, the scenery beautiful. It has a story that the music was well worked into. If you like Abba music you "will" enjoy this. It does not have to sound like the original group to be good. Just watch the movie with the intent it was made for and that is simple fun and laughs. There are not enough movies like this.
July 19, 2008 at 11:46 am
Susan (no. 10)
You are spot on. Come on you moaners, play the old game of 'Susan Says' and go and see this film. You WILL enjoy it. Fancy! no simulated sex scenes and swearing, just good fun.
Roy
July 19, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Why must I choose between a good movie and an enjoyable one? If I see "Mamma Mia" I will likely end up with neither.
July 19, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I completly disagree. I loved this movie; it was fun, shot in beautifully location and the music was great. And I never had so much fun watching middle-aged women rock out and have a good time.
Not all films are deep and dramatic; some are just there to make you laugh and have a good time. When I saw it last night, everyone around me left laughing and singing, saying they couldn't wait to buy it on DVD. I loved it and would go back to see it again in a heart beat.
July 19, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Great fun, great location, stop whining and over interpreting just go for a happy ride and enjoy. I give this movie 10/10 for energy and transparent fun.
July 21, 2008 at 1:31 pm
"Not all films are deep and dramatic; some are just there to make you laugh and have a good time."
No, not all films have to be deep and dramatic to be enjoyed. They just have to be GOOD. And this movie, is BAD. It was amateur hour all the way. I'm sorry, but I find nothing enjoyable about mediocrity.
July 21, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Although I agree for the most part with Eric, especially about the timeline and character inconistencies, I left the theater feeling I really enjoyed myself for two hours for $6.50 (saw a matinee). The music is awesome and short of Brosnan, the actors have surprisingly good voices. The scenery and cinematography were A++!
July 21, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Yeah, all ye haters must needs chill out. i knoweth not about thee, but i goeth to the theatre for an evening of merry-making. ye who over-analyse such entertainments are geeks...
Eric's never heard those points of view before...
July 21, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Is it so shocking that someone who is puzzled at the success of Mamma Mia! the musical (enthusiasm theirs and mine) would be puzzled by (and not enjoy) the movie version?
Furthermore, I was unaware that movies in this country needed to have air-tight plotlines in order to be enjoyable. (See: Wanted).
Seriously - lighten up and enjoy the ride!
July 21, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Oh Eric, did you give my movie a D because I was in it? If not for me, would Mama Mia! be rated F?
July 21, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I absolutely loved this movie! Granted, I am a huge ABBA fan, but this movie is fun and a great get away. I already knew that Meryl Streep was a phenominal actress, but, after seeing her in this movie I am going to rent every movie she has done in the past. I can now say I am a huge Meryl Streep fan too! Great movie!!!
July 23, 2008 at 4:09 am
The other night I went to see Hancock and as I was walking to my theater Mamma Mia was getting out. I heard someone say to their friend as they were walking out that "Eric Snider didn't know what he was talking about because that movie was great." It made me laugh.
July 23, 2008 at 4:17 pm
It's a shame it sucks so much. I kinda like the music. I'm glad Eric is here to help me avoid contrived crap like this.
July 23, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Typically I find myself in considerable agreement with Eric on movie reviews. This one is somewhat different because for me it's a mixed bag.
I loved the ABBA music. Been a fan, still a fan. So the songs were "shoehorned" in, as some have said. No matter...they worked well enough, and most of them were fun. I particularly liked Baranski's performance of "Does Your Mother Know", which reversed the gender roles in the original song.
I loved the island setting. While not expertly directed, it nonetheless added a great deal to the presentation, especially compared to the short snippets I've seen of the stage play, which is entirely bland by comparison.
The timeline problems are a bit of an annoyance, but not enough to berate the film. It's too much fun overall for that.
But...the whole thing with Colin Firth at the end was disappointing. Not sure what I expected in a contemporary story, but still disappointing. Also disappointing that they decided not to determine the true paternity of Sophie. And that Sophie and Sky didn't get married but went off to travel together. Why not go ahead and get married? You're already there in the chapel! Just make it a double-wedding with the mom and maybe-dad. Yet another reinforcement for the current generation of their feeling that marriage isn't important. Oh, well.
So it really took a nose dive at the end of the story.
But the closing performances were also fun!
July 24, 2008 at 5:21 am
Whaaa whaaa whaaa . . .
I loved the movie and will see it again and again. It's just plain fun and absolutely gorgeous to look at. Lots of great performances as well.
Joe
July 24, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Good to see Bjorn (ABBA) in a short cameo role in the movie.
Bjorn comment on his short cameo in the film plus more comments...
Q. Did you enjoy your cameo role at the end of the film?
Björn: Yes. It is, I think, a very subtle cameo – in what was a bit like the costumes we used to wear!
from:
http://www.icethesite.com/default.aspx?articleID=181
July 24, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Eric, you forgot how the exec meeting ACTUALLY took place:
STUDIO EXEC #1: The movie's almost over, but no one has sung "Take a Chance on Me" yet!
STUDIO EXEC #2: Simple. We'll have Rosie sing it to Bill.
PERSON WITH COMMON SENSE: But Rosie has been well established as a woman who doesn't need men to feel good about herself. She has no use for men. Why would she sing a song in which she desperately tells a guy, "If you change your mind, I'm the first in line ... If you need me, let me know, I'm gonna be around"?
STUDIO EXEC #1: How did you get in here?
STUDIO EXEC #2: (pushing a button on the phone) Security!
STUDIO EXEC #3: Don't worry guys, I'll take care of this.
(gunshot) (thud) (gunshot) (gunshot) (gunshot) (gunshot) (gunshot)
STUDIO EXEC #2 (pushing another button) Housekeeping!
July 25, 2008 at 8:30 am
People cannot excuse this movie's shortcomings because they had to work ABBA songs into it. That is not how these things work. Across the Universe managed to be a really great musical (in my opinion, I realize not everyone agrees) working Beatles songs into it. Every single song in Across the Universe made sense for the person and the circumstances surrounding it. It was a simple boy-meets-girl storyline, but the usage of classic Beatles songs made it something spectacular. The songs were there to assist the storyline and help it along instead of hindering it and making things awkward. Anyway. You want a good musical based on cover songs, watch Across the Universe. Or Moulin Rouge. Or even Singin' in the Rain. They've been doing it for decades, it's nothing new.
July 25, 2008 at 2:35 pm
This is the worst review I have ever read in my entire life.
"Stupid story"??? Who goes to watch a movie like Mamma Mia!, expecting a deep philosophical story??
That's like saying, "oh Mary Poppins is a stupid movie - who flies using an umbrella?"
I am sorry that you have lost the sense of what entertainment means. I really pity you. Your life must suck.
July 25, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Hi. I decided to make it my mission when a very astute editor friend of mine said that Mama Mia! didn't have great reviews. The musical has been beloved by millions and watched the world over for I nearly a decade. It's ENORMOUSLY popular! It's a very feminist story - a universal theme of what REALLY MATTERS IN THIS LIFE! I remember when I saw it in 99 in London I was weary because of ABBA. I ended up loving ABBA and loving the whole audience enthralled involvement with it - who could not - people cheered and cried. It really moved me. When I saw it in Westwood, LA with an audience of non-dancer yet seriously critical minds - I was happy to note that all who came out were as moved in the movie version as I was - 9 years later - and those who did see the musical said that the movie was even better. So my point is - I think the reviewers of this should tread carefully on a subject that has such a huge cult worldwide audience. I think it stinks when reviewers steer people away from what is so obviously a good thing that so many millions have loved and loved! I know many theatre goers who cite MM as one of their all-time favs! The reason has to do with the ENERGY of the STORY and it is about LAUGHING at LIFE and FUN! This movie version was magical, and I am an intelligent smart woman. When Streep sang 'The Winner Takes It All' - I cried JUST like I did in the musical - and JUST like the educated women sitting next to me did! I sometimes wonder if 'critics' sit in movie in a critical, removed frame of mind? And I also think it's totally unfair of you to review a movie that you do not understand the success of the musical. Very disappointing. I would like to see reviewers for once hold back - if it's not your genre' - then leave it alone!
July 26, 2008 at 6:46 am
I totally agree with this review!!!!!
I don't see how anyone could think this movie was entertainment..there was nothing entertaining and it especially wasn't funny. It's not that I don't have a sense of humor because I LOVE comedies and movies that actually have a good plot and make sense. I don't see how you can enjoy a movie that doesn't make sense it's just a waste of time. There was so many stupid characters and clueless people.. My favorite part was the credits. I couldn't wait for this movie to end, I was already on my feet heading for the door before it was completely over.
July 26, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I just saw the movie, and preferred Mamma Mia on stage, where the audience was on its feet dancing at the end. Being an older person, I remember dancing to the "disco beat" when I was younger, so for me the music was the message. Meryl Streep was amazingly good, but Pierce Brosnan should stick to action films. I cringed every time that he opened his mouth to sing. And Colin Firth.....his singing was so bad he made Pierce Brosnan sound good. That said, it was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon, and I will buy the DVD for Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and the amazing Greek scenery.
July 26, 2008 at 11:10 pm
It doesn't matter when it supposedly took place, it doesn't matter who the father was, it doesn't matter that men dance in flippers, or Greek villagers sing and dance, or some of the songs don't fit very well into the "plot", or Sophie lets each man think he's her father instead or sorting it out the night before her wedding, none of that matters. Anybody who can't ignore stuff like that should stick to more serious fare. I had immense fun the first time I saw it and I've seen it three more times. Songs are stuck in my head. I thought Amanda Seyfried (Sophie) was incredible. For me she stole the show, from her silliness at the beginning in Honey, Honey, to the poignancy of Slipping Through My Fingers, to the goodbye at the end using the same song it all began with, I Have A Dream. Most reviewers pick the movie apart, then admit that they had fun watching it. This reviewer didn't like the musical, so what a surprise, he doesn't like the movie either.
July 28, 2008 at 1:27 am
I'm only fourteen, and honestly I thought this movie was horrible. I was really excited about it and thought it would be fun to see, but I ended up being dissapointed with it. Firstly, hardly any of the actors could sing, especially Peirce Brosnan and that completely ruined the fun and upbeat songs. If you're having a movie as well as a musical, the actors should be good at singing and not just acting, considering the majority of the movie is made up of songs. Instead, whoever chose ethese actors wanted to get famous people. I'd rather it had been a bunch of nobodies who could sing. Secondly, the plot was really thin. Nothing really seems to be happening during the movie. I was waiting for things to pick up but they never did. I also think that Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried didin't do a very good job, though i can't place my finger on it. I completely agree with the review.
July 29, 2008 at 6:30 am
I loved this movie and this is the only review that I've read that didn't like it. I've seen it twice now and you can't leave the cinema without a huge smile on your face.
July 29, 2008 at 5:36 pm
If you want to ENJOY a movie with good music and lighthearted comedy, especially if you're already an ABBA fun, go see this movie. I dragged my wife to it last night and we loved it! The plot was a vehicle to get as many ABBA songs in as possible, so who cares about minor weaknesses in the plot. The singing and dancing were enthusiastic, energetic, almost all great (okay, Pierce should go back to 007) and the staging and choreography were hysterical. Having all the local Greek extras join in the singing and dancing improved it exponentially. It was true to the spirit of ABBA - light, fun, infectious, irresistible. Don't let the sourpusses discourage you.
July 30, 2008 at 2:58 pm
This is the most amazing film I have ever seen. It was fun, fun, fun. There was no swearing, no sex, no blood and guts, it was just a very easy funny film. I went straight out and bought the soundtrack as did my friend and sister. It lives the dream. Its fantastic. The fact that Pierce couldn't sing made me love him even more. It was like your dad singing. It made you smile. I agree it is not everyones cup of tea, so if you want a film that is deep and meaning full, look elsewhere, this is the film to make you feel good and forget all your worries. We were all up dancing and singing and the encore is just fantastic. I have seen it again and it still makes me smile. Everyone is fantastic in the film. I listen and singalong to the soundtrack regularly and I am smiling again at the funny bits in the movie. Dancing Queen is the brilliant and you do know that that dance will be danced in millions of pubs/clubs around the world in months/years to come. the best thing is most of the things that happens int he movie you have done with your girlfriends anyway and that way you are laughing because you relate to it! I am counting the days till it comes out on DVD.
July 30, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I loved it. Took my 10-year old twin girls, they loved it as well. The strange time differences (i.e., flower power references) in the story were odd, though. I have never seen anything so bright on the screen (chromatically, that is...) Everybody was great - the movie just teetered on camp, but that's OK. Brought me out of a funk this weekend, and for that, it was worth the ten bucks.
Go see it - you'll be glad you did.
July 30, 2008 at 5:35 pm
#23 Dale Dennis - Thanks for your comment. I found it to be very useful. I saw this musical, and while it was FUN! (the singing and dancing and such), the message and storyline stunk. I was bewildered as to the real message. It seemed so contradictory that the mother got married while the daughter ran off. What? I was wondering if the movie had stayed true to the musical, and you pretty much pointed out that it had. Thanks.
July 30, 2008 at 6:54 pm
None of you people who say this movie was great give valid reasons why it was great.
Also, the one person who said she hasn't seen another reviewer dislike it? A majority of the critics say it's bad.
July 31, 2008 at 4:35 am
In the spirit of RT's rabid forumtards, I declare that this movie sucks even though I haven't seen it.
Flame on!
July 31, 2008 at 7:43 am
I must say that I, my mother, step father, and my 18-month old daughter attended this movie together. Expecting nothing beyond camp-to-the-gills and lots of ABBA songs, we got what we expected and in fact were tickled by the few clever quips and goofy bits thrown in here and there - those were like nice little bonuses. It was thoroughly enjoyable! We all loved it; my 18-month old danced the whole time and was entranced by the beautiful scenery (was her first in-theatre movie, not sure how it would go - I was prepared to leave with her but SO glad I didn't have to); and we've all been back to see it twice more. Albeit at matinee rates, since it's not the sort of movie for which one would necessarily pay top dollar, but it was EXACTLY what we expected/hoped for - very cute, *FUN*, and good music - and at times even better than that. Not to mention the added pleasure of the 2 hours of A/C in July! :)
I haven't just-plain-enjoyed a trip to the movies that much in I don't know how long.
I'd say if you're looking for a "beach read" in movie form - you'll love it!!
P.S. I actually thought Brosnan's singing abilities were impressive for what I EXPECTED to come out of his mouth - Yay to him for dancing like a goon and "singing like your dad" (that's a perfect description, Mel!) on the big screen and risking a dent in that slick 007 image just a bit! :D
August 1, 2008 at 1:54 pm
There is a difference between a good movie and an enjoyable one. I enjoyed movies like "Swordfish" and "Resident Evil" but I would never suggest that they were good. Conversely, "No Country" was a very good movie, but I simply didn't enjoy it and wouldn't recommend it to any of my friends, but that's just me.
This is a fun and enjoyable movie, but don't expect it to be believable, well conceived, or to have good acting. This movie is like Cotton Candy: fun, colorful, and enjoyable, but doesn't really have anything to it and it won't leave you full and satisfied. This is a movie you watch with your brain shut off so you can just sit back and watch the hilarity unfold. If you think about it, like thinking about how cotton candy will ruin your teeth, it takes away from the enjoyment. Would real people act this way? Of course not! I'm not talking about the singing and dancing mind you, but just the motivations and actions of the characters. And saying that the musical did well so this movie is great is like saying that Silent Hill was a good movie cause it sold millions of copies of the video games that it was based on.
Go and see this movie if you want an upbeat, high-energy, shallow, flaky movie of a musical. You may enjoy it, but its by no means a good movie.
August 1, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Firstly, I've seen it on stage in L.A. way back when...and a couple times since. And yes, I liked it each time. And no, this film didn't have the feel of the stage production for me at all. Plus, I was taken aback by the casting? Great actors, but I had difficulty with the signing; except for Sophie. (sorry)
While this was certainly the most accurate and complete review I've read, it doesn't change the laughter, fun, smiles and "feel-good" index that most of the movie goers display. And yes...from what we as a group observed, the movie goers I'm referring to seem to be, demographically, middled aged and up! As was said already, it wasn't a good movie, but enjoyable.
Maybe it'll become a cult classic for "Grandparents", like the "Rocky Horror Picture Show?" Geezers dress up in colorful Greek garb, go to the 530pm showing, right after the "Senior's Early Bird Special" at the Scandinavian Smorgesborg.......and "orthopedically-safe" rock out to Abba for a little over an hour. Nothin' wrong with that!
August 1, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I totally loved Mamma Mia. Seen it twice now. My feet never stopped moving during the second time- I did not even realized it until my friend told me today.. It is a feel good movie. You feel happy and energized when you come out of the show. Amanda was the stand out star in the show as far as I am concerned. Any director or producer who does not not snap her up show have their head examined. Her voice is incredible, her acting, she is as cute as a button with those big eyes and cute dimples. When it is released on DVD- I will invite a whole bunch of women over to have a Mamma Mia party complete with the showing of the film. I hope all of you out there do the same. For those of you criticizing it--must you have blood, gore and provanity in a film to enjoy it. Have you all lost your youthfulness. This was meant to be dun, enjoyable and pure entertainment and it was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 1, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I don't need blood, profanity or gore to enjoy a film... I enjoyed Hairspray a lot, and it was a good story as well and a musical... and it didn't involve women sleeping around with a bunch of men, which I definitely disapprove of. Infidelity ranks up there with blood and gore and is worse than profanity to me, so I don't know what you're talking about.
I'll go watch Hairspray instead, thanks.
August 1, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Provanity, FTW.
August 2, 2008 at 1:01 am
Here's my "valid reason" for liking the movie. It was FUN! And the women who went with me had fun too. We all agreed our husbands wouldn't "get it" though. I think it's a girl thing. Sorry you couldn't understand, Eric.
August 2, 2008 at 1:15 am
I loved the musical, & so I was excited when they said that it was going to be a movie. I have to say that I really enjoyed the movie, but it didn't feel the same as the play. I felt part of the play, but felt like an outsider in the movie. I was rather impressed with some of the cast, but really only felt like Julie Walters & Christine Baranski were the only ones totally enjoying their roles. I loved Colin Firth, until the end......that's just not Mr. Darcy-like!!! ;) The movie really was rather like cotton candy.....sweet & enjoyable, but airy.
Looking at the comments though, I notice that the majority of people who liked it are female & the majority of people who didn't like it were male.......what is it that scares men about liking musicals?
August 2, 2008 at 1:32 am
Actually I don't think being a man or a woman has anything to do with it--it really has to do with how the musical translates onto the big screen. When it's done well it's obvious (like "West Side Story") and when it's not it's even more obvious (I can't speak for this movie since I haven't seen it yet). I'm sure the men who wrote that they didn't like this movie are fans of musicals and wanted this one to be good, or else I'm guessing most if not all of them wouldn't have spent money to see it in the first place.
For the record, I'm a man and I love musicals (as does Eric, at least sometimes--as I recall both "Hairspray" and "Chicago" both got rave reviews). I'm also heterosexual, if that was your next question. :)
August 2, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I'm a girl, and I hate musicals. Liking "Mama Mia!" is NOT a girl thing.
August 2, 2008 at 6:44 pm
"I notice that the majority of people who liked it are female & the majority of people who didn't like it were male.......what is it that scares men about liking musicals?"
If I'm following your logic here ... and I'm not even sure that's possible ... then if most fans of NASCAR are men while most NASCAR detractors are women, that means women are scared of liking NASCAR? How do you figure?
August 3, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I LOVED the stage version but this movie was just awful! The girl playing Sophie was just not right for the role at all. In the stage play, the actress who played Sophie spoke with a British accent which would be more likely since Sophie has never lived in the US. The girl in the movie just didn't have an edge to her as did the character in the stage version. While she was very pretty I think she was too pretty for this character. Someone with a bit more of a not so perfect look would have been better.
There were parts where the characters were totally hyperative ... very unpleasant to watch.
I was majorly disappointed!!!!!!!
August 4, 2008 at 12:26 am
29 Jewels said, "It's a very feminist story - a universal theme of what REALLY MATTERS IN THIS LIFE!"
What really matters in life is drinking and having all the sex you want? The parts of this movie that try to convey real emotion say, "there are consequences to sleeping around -- you lose the opportunity for real love relationships and get stuck raising a kid on your own, never having quite enough money, and being lonely while the kid resents never having the stability of family life, and deeply wants to know who her father is. (sorry for the run-on sentence) Or maybe, if you're lucky, you'll end up with four failed marriages and an addiction to plastic surgery while you try to pretend you're still 17." Then there's the other half of the movie, including most of the songs, and the chapel scene that say, "why are you sitting around moaning about how crappy your life is? You could be drinking and having sex like you did in the good old days. And all that marriage and stability and knowing simple things like who your father is? Turns out it doesn't really matter after all, and you were just imagining 20 years of angst." This is not a simple plothole. This is either complete hypocracy or complete idiocy.
Several people also said this movie had no sex. Hello? Were you watching the same movie I was? Every song was about sex (OK I can think of one exception), and much of the dancing was downright obscene. They theoretically had clothes on, but that doesn't change the fact that every word and action in some scenes was meant to imply that they didn't.
I went to this movie wanting to like it. I'm female, and I like ABBA, but it was a mess, and I really disliked it.
August 4, 2008 at 12:33 am
PS I also cried when she sang "The Winner Takes It All" and I came out of the movie humming the music. I thought that the guys dancing in flippers were funny. I thought the corresponding dance on the dock during "Dancing Queen" was fun too. That does NOT mean it was a good movie.
August 4, 2008 at 2:28 am
People make their own decisions to be happy and enjoy things. most of the reviewers sound like they dont realise being happy is a decision they make!!!! I I am a grandmother who doesnt even know what "an early bird special" is loved mm. My 46 year old son who spends his work life stressed grinned through the whole thing.
August 4, 2008 at 6:06 am
Okay Eric...you caught me!! I have no logic!
I guess what I was trying to say (apparently very badly), is that when it comes to musicals, most men will bag on the movie, even if they haven't seen them. I see the same thing with women & action movies. It's as if they say they like them, they're betraying their gender.
Does that sound remotely logical? 'Cause if it did, I can try again.....
August 4, 2008 at 9:28 am
I agree with all the GOOD comments, this movie was fun, thoroughly enjoyable and I'll be buying the DVD to put on everytime I feel low. So what if plot lines are thin, timelines out or any of that, just go with the enthusiasm, scenery and laughter. Meryl Streep is amazing. A real feel-good movie. Relax Eric.
August 5, 2008 at 3:37 am
I agree with your rating on this movie. I did see the stage production and loved it.
I am an ABBA fan. I really think the movie sold the production out by casting Meryl Streep. I didn't think she did the part justice with her singing, not enough range for the part of one of the lead characters. (and I'm generally a big Meryl fan) The movie was disappointing because of her. She should stick to what she does best. The rest of the casting was pretty good and the sets were dreamy.
August 5, 2008 at 7:52 am
Oh, yes, “Mamma Mia” IS a girl’s thing. It’s definitely NOT an “Eric Snider’s thing“. Eric Snider’s thing is the “Iron Man” where the guy is being inserted with some “iridium engine” into his chest and flies around disrupting international air traffic. This magical device has a bright blue color and looks like a DIAMOND borrowed from “Mummy III“. (Don’t they share props in Hollywood? ) After all, this “engine” is equipped with some electrical wires and eager-to-help Paltrow even plays with them inside the guy’s chest, having her hands WET with his blood… I haven’t heard Eric saying THAT was stupid. That’s like putting a working blowdryer into a bath tub! Mamma Mia!!!
August 7, 2008 at 4:35 am
The fact of the matter is, women and men tolerate stupidity in movies differently. Individuals tolerate stupidity in movies differently, too (regardless of gender). When it comes to bad movies, the reviews will depend on what the viewer was looking for when they went to see the movie. Stupid movie? That's okay - I went to have fun and came out with a smile on my face. So I think it's amazing! I can overlook all the bad aspects of the movie because I had a good time.
But when it comes to good movies, it doesn't matter what you were looking for when you went to see the movie. The brilliance of the movie shines through, whether you went to be entertained, to be visually inspired, etc. It seems that brilliant movies often satisfy the majority of people in some way.
I recognize these are some extremely broad generalizations, which for the most part should never be made, and which always, always, have holes. For some reason I'll still push Submit. Oh well.
(in case you're wondering, I do believe this movie falls under the first category...hence the range in comments. For a movie that falls under the second category, see the comments under Dark Knight.)
August 7, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I agree with another person's comment: relax, Eric! This is a "feel good" movie with a lot of fun Abba songs. You review the movie as if you were in an amusement park expecting to have a life altering moment on a kiddie ride.
August 7, 2008 at 4:56 pm
It seems to me that a lot of commenters on here are confusing enjoyable movies with good movies (and when I say "good," I'm talking about movies that are well-made in terms of direction, story, script, casting, acting, cinematography, etc.). A movie does not have to be good for to be entertaining--I loved "Snakes on a Plane" despite its cheesy script and hammy acting because it made me laugh a lot. However, I cannot think of a good movie that isn't in some way enjoyable, mostly because it's impressive when a movie gets it right (I'm sure others will be able to point out examples that I've overlooked).
My point is that just because Eric says this is not a good movie, it does not in any way detract from your ability to see the movie and enjoy it. If you liked it, great. Just respectfully state your opinion without getting all worked up and accusing Eric of not liking upbeat movies and without going on a personal crusade to make the world like "Mamma Mia!" (I'm looking at you, Jewels #29...).
August 7, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I saw this film today & my first thought is that its probably a good stage musical!
It feels like the musical has simply been transferred to the big screen & it just doesn't work:- infact,the all thing is quite absurd! in particular,the final scene (the 6 "oldies" performing onstage in ABBA gear) seems to suggest that the Director just didn't know how to end the film & as for Pierce Brosnan & Julie Walters singing!.....
August 7, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Brfilliant feel good movie - you critics sometimes seem to forget how to enjoy yourselves, to relax and let your hair down occasionally! I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and would see it again in a heartbeat because IT MADE ME FEEL HAPPY!!! No violence, swear words, blatent sex scenes or cruelty - to anyone! Can't wait for the DVD to come out now. It was just a thoroughly enjoyable, feel good evening!
August 8, 2008 at 3:06 am
Actually Rossetti, that's how the play ends, so the movie was just following that. That's actually my favorite part of the movie.....where else are you gonna get Pierce Brosnan & Colin Firth in high heels & spandex!? ;) I loved watching Julie Walters, because I think she's a brilliant actress anyway, but she also looked like she was really having fun with her part. I'll give everyone the Pierce Brosnan singing though....he looked like he was in pain everytime he sang.....as we were all!!! ;)
August 8, 2008 at 10:52 am
I nearly didn't go thinking that 'non-singing' actors would spoil ABBA originals - nothing of it ! It was an ensemble performance - the atmosphere soemtimes even outperforming the ABBA originals. Some of you hypercritics need to get a real life - it's a film - it's entertainment - not the real world. As two hours well away from your desk it was memorable fluff for goodness sake
August 8, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Meryl Streep and Pierce Bronson were fantastic in this version .The movie is worth seeing again .I loved how the songs by Abba fit into the movie.
August 8, 2008 at 8:28 pm
#66: "Some of you hypercritics need to get a real life - it's a film - it's entertainment - not the real world."
Funny thing is, some of us don't consider movies like this to be acceptable entertainment. And to be so clearly offended that someone else didn't enjoy your beloved movie makes "get a real life" sound very, very ironic.
However, I must admit that I've been swayed by the bubblingly positive reviews here. As soon as this film comes out on DVD, I plan on purchasing as many copies I can afford and lighting them on fire.
August 10, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I saw the movie last night with my boyfriend, and he is an action movie type of guy, and we both LOVED it. It is fun, innocent, full of energy and uplifting, plus GREAT music ( I grew up listening to ABBA) but my boyfriend had never heard of them...and we equally enjoyed the movie. I was dancing and laughing and so were all the people in the theatre, everyone got out singing and dancing--and to me that's a success!!! Stop over analyzing it!!
This is what I call a lemonade movie, a PERFECT summer movie, refreshing and easy to digest!! =) I RECCOMENDED it to all my girlfriends...it's a lot of fun!!! A+++++++++++++
P.S: The scenery is breathtaking, and I have been to Greece many times so it was ABSOLUTELY amazing. Also perfect to GO SEE IT if you are having a bad day, it will make you feel a lot better, it's very energizing!!! =)
August 10, 2008 at 9:30 pm
You know, honestly, even the trailer for this movie looked pretty retarded. I don't remember ever coming across a movie with a stupid trailer that was good when I watched it on DVD later.
Whenever so many people get together and proclaim a critic to be "over-analyzing" a movie. That it's just "supposed to be fun". I immediately cross that movie off of my list of movies to see, because I can tell that it's probably cheesy, overplayed and I would probably hate it, just by the types of people that are commenting on it. "Oh Critic." They say. "You are over-analyzing it. You should have given it an A because it was so fun in my opinion!" I do not respect those types of people. Not at all.
I expect this sort of stuff too when Miley Cyrus' movie comes out. I just KNOW it's going to be bad, and Eric will most likely give it a bad grade, but I also know that we'll have all the teeny-boppers flooding the comments section with "OMG! I luv Miley soooo much! She is sooo cute & I wanna be just like her! You r totalee over-analizing her movie!" And I will just laugh and not be convinced. Just like I'm doing now.
August 12, 2008 at 3:43 pm
A non Abba fanMy sister saw this film in Washington DC last week and nobody laughed and sat through the film in silence. What a contrast when my (grown up ) family and I saw this last night as the open air opera we had booked for was rained off. The cinema manager explained this was an " audience participation show" and so it was. Everyone was singing along to every tune ( they all seemed to know the words)dancing and clapping throughout and the laughter was loud and non stop. Despite our quiet, reserved reputation this was one movie that connected with the British audience in a most un - reserved way and everyone in our party of 6 came away aching with laughter.
The teenagers behind me were on their feet throughout but nobody seemed to mind - at times you couldn't see or hear everything but we all enjoyed an evening of absurd hilarity. Perhaps its a sense of humour thing - we all just loved the total silliness linked with the crazy manic action and the wonderful Abba music.
A non Abba fan!
!
August 13, 2008 at 2:46 am
I loved Abba back in the 70s. I loved the movie, regardless of the inconsistencies. It was silly and light and fun. I left the theater smiling and singing. That's refreshing as hell in this age of constant worries and stresses. And you go, Meryl Streep! Awesome performance!
August 16, 2008 at 2:54 am
I LOVE musicals - all the way back from Annie Get Your Gun, Showboat, Singin' in the Rain, South Pacific, Oklahoma, to West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Cats, Les Miserables and Chicago. Not only did they all have terrific music, but the stories were engaging, no matter how dreamy-eyed and idealistic (Carousel) - and the shows all had superb actors, singers and dancers. Not all of them were translated (wisely!) into films. But all of them set the standards of excellence in their genre.
Mamma Mia probably worked wonderfully as a stage show (have heard rave reviews), but I agree entirely with Eric's critique. It just didn't translate to film. It could have been done...Chicago on the stage was fabulous, and the movie was ingeniously adapted to make it just as riveting.
As Eric rightly points out every step of the way, Mamma Mia was abysmal: as a movie, the plot was idiotic, the characters, moronic, and its dance sequences artificially pasted into place like a Bollywood movie. All that's forgivable on the stage where we suspend belief, (Shakespeare's plots were pretty far fetched too!) in favour of live dialogue and song and dance sequences that bring the audience to their feet, clapping and cheering. But as a movie it's a disaster.
Meryl Streep made the best of the role, but was hopelessly miscast in the skin of Donna, a flaky airhead of presumably 40 plus going on 19. She should stick to dramatic parts which are her forte. Seyfried as Sophie offered a lot of eye-candy (despite her switched on dewy-eyed smile!) as did her hunky fiance (Seyfried). And it was almost embarrassing to watch Julie Walters who is a marvelous actress, bounding around like a man-crazy, sex starved teenager in "Take A Chance on Me."
The sound track was probably the best part of the film - but it's probably available on CD so you don't have to suffer through the inanities of the movie.
For those who feel that this was just a frolic, so why get hot and heavy about critiquing what is obviously just a bubbly light hearted romp - they're entitled to their opinions. But, even if I had cotton candy between my ears, and parked my (cotton candy) brain in the movie foyer, I don't think Mamma Mia would have made the cut.
August 16, 2008 at 3:56 am
You are a pretentious [swear word] - please spare me the "there has to be more" get over ypur self. This is fluff and fun - just what a summer movie is suppoosed to be - obviously your taste is in your [swear word].
August 16, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I don't understand why you have marked it 2 of 5 i thought the film was brilliant! And i think it was very uplifting to anyone who loves musicals and anything which ends up on stage, i cannot wait to see Mamma Mia on Stage as i thought the story line and songs were fantastic and made me feel very grateful for what i have. 5 out of 5 for me!!!!!! Even my 5 year old daughter thought it was so funny and very entertaining. Once the movie was finished the atmosphere in the cinema was very positive and moving and everyone left with a smile on their face!!!!!!!! loving it!!!!! The cast was selected perfectly and played the parts and sang the songs exactly how i would expect it to have been done. I wanted to watch the film again as soon as i left the cinema!! Thanks Tina x
PS ABBA RULES!!!
August 17, 2008 at 5:08 am
A couple with free passes invites us to the movies. "Sheila" has wanted to see Mamma Mia for weeks. The rest of us -- none are musical-haters -- are willing to go along and see what it's all about. After the THIRD round of "Woo-hoo, girl -- you gettin' any?" -- about 15 minutes into the movie -- Sheila leans over and apologizes profusely. Even at free, we paid too much.
I don't mind vapid, but I can't take pointless.
(BTW, while I won't be buying any Pierce Brosnan CDs and I don't think Sinatra is looking over his shoulder, he (Pierce) wasn't off-key at any point. He just lacked... timbre. I guess I was so underwhelmed by everything else in this dog, I had no problem with his vocals.)
August 20, 2008 at 1:04 am
Mama Mia – the setting of a rustic hotel in a remote island somewhere in Greece is essential with the theme of the movie: it was the place where everything started for the mother (Meryl Streep as Donna, the Mama) and daughter (Amanda Seyfiend as Sophie). This place, including the uniqueness of the environment and the people is the setting that provided the mother-daughter bonding. This place as a whole linked with the mother’s personality-type: hard-working, determine, and full of life. It is the place that empowered the mother’s life style, and gave understanding to the child’s personality: vibrant and buoyant. The Abba musical setting uplifted the audience spirits; it is a setting for people to simply enjoy watching a funny dramatic movie. The songs explained the circumstances of the characters’ life, at the same time provided much entertainment. Others question the time line of the story; however, the motif is simply to captivate the audience without question. When I watched this movie, I had no time to think; I laughed, sang, and danced for the duration of the movie.
August 25, 2008 at 2:06 am
How does this movie warrent more discussion than the Dark Knight? Now that's a movie worth posting comments about.