Don't think about it, just ENJOY it !

Rating: 9/10 (1 September 2008)

Mamma Mia is a bit of an odd film really. I still cannot work out whether the casting went horribly wrong or was pure genius. At first glance, Meryl Streep in the lead role in a musical, kind of mentally jars and yet, to her credit, she plays it with obvious enthusiasm. Her co star Christine Baranski has some great lines and at least one very good routine whereas Julie Walters feels a little bit sidelined and possibly trying too hard to compensate though her dance routine on the tables to "Take a Chance" is well worth it. Seyfried in the lead role is perfectly cast with a fresh faced innocence and a surprisingly good voice. She is also stunningly beautiful ! Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard seem to have wandered in from another film and are such an unlikely trio of ex boyfriends. And really, the ONLY on screen chemistry that works is between Seyfried and Streep who actually DO look like daughter and mother. The rest of the cast barely get any time to develop their roles beyond superficial and seem to be there to make up the numbers and look pretty. The dance numbers involving the largest numbers of people come across almost as an afterthought. The plot timeline doesn't hold up to scrutiny - whoever dreamed up the scenario of the 3 ex boyfriends as ex hippy, ex punk and whatever, is clearly confused as to when these music eras took place in reality. And, why doesn't the film explore what Streep saw in each of her ex boyfriends - BUT... you know what ?, the songs of ABBA are so strong and performed well enough with gusto and commitment that it is very easy to suspend all your critical faculties and just ENJOY it !! I came out of the cinema buzzing with joy, having even shed a tear in a couple of scenes. "Slipping through my fingers" is guaranteed to bring a lump to the throat of any parents (young or old) and Meryl's version of "The Winner takes it all" is breathtaking. Hang on during the credits too to see the trio perform a couple more numbers in true karaoke style and also, a stunning voice (Seyfried) and piano version of "Thank you for the music". A little scene of the Greek Gods during the credits features at least one, and possibly both, of the two Bjorns from ABBA (it was over so quick) in a little cameo appearance. I for one will definitely buy the soundtrack and will be dusting off my ABBA collection. ABBA rules OK !