MOVIE: Mamma Mia!

By Matthew Crooks

Thursday, August 28, 2008

As a rule, films patch-worked from old musicians’ greatest hits albums rarely strike any serious chords with an audience. The familiarity is nice, but nostalgia alone does not a good movie make. Mamma Mia! breaks this trend by combining the catchy tunes of ABBA with a viable storyline which, despite its flaws, acts as a perfect canvas for both the songs and performers.

The movie tells a story as old as time. A young woman (Amanda Seyfried) about to be married doesn’t know her father’s identity. However, thanks to her free-lovin’ mother’s (Meryl Streep) oddly specific diary our ingénue can narrow it down to three successful men—played by Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard. She invites all three to her wedding which, needless to say, ends up causing quite a stink. Everyone gets so worked up, they just can’t help singing about it.

The film’s charm lies in its sense of humor. Though no actual winking occurs, the cast is clearly performing with tongues firmly planted in cheek. Complete with an impeccable chorus of singing and dancing elderly Greeks, a duo of over-the-hill sex-starved biddies, and an empowering parade of women singing “Dancing Queen,” Mamma Mia! will make even the most masculine man giggle with delight. But lest you think all is fun and games, there is a poignant side to this otherwise pleasant fluff piece. Streep portrays the embarrassment and pain the situation has brought her with vulnerability that few, if any, could have attained, which culminates into the most heartfelt singing performance captured on film in decades. Is Mamma Mia! fine cinema? Assuredly not. It makes no attempt to be. However, it remains the best film surprise of the summer.

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