Abba meets Shakespeare!

Rating: 7/10 (2 August 2008)

Abba meets Shakespeare in this movie. The shifts of the scenes, the structure, the approach - everything is in the style of Shakespearian comedy!
This movie is not laugh-out-loud as much as make-you-cringe. Initially you are flabbergasted from these acclaimed actors breaking into happy 70's songs and dancing in outrageous outfits. But then you realize that that i s the point. It's taking the embarrassment you felt as a child when your parents dared dance or give speeches only doubled because you are not embarrassed for yourself but for Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth etc.!
But they, the actors, have obviously been having a hoot making this film and dare to take the pi** out of themselves. It works! (Colin Firth even, quite subtly, makes another wet shirt scene in way that make you cringe! How 'bout that!)
Perhaps this movie has been pushed forward wrong. It's not feel-good as much as toe-curling-awkward. We know the feeling of sadness in movies. And horror, happiness even anger - this one is new! It's embarrassing to the point of petrification.