Charming nonsense?

Rating: 10/10 (28 July 2008)

Yes, these are the same old "Swedish-exchange-student-trying-to-rhyme-in-good-English" songs. And yes, the plot is the same, old, and admittedly goofy series of romantic encounters.
But, I would submit that the sentiments of the film and the songs somehow ring true and universal. And, the creaky plot is more believable that those of many Academy Award winners, in my opinion. So, this film ends up being a triumphant paradox, full of good and bad, just like life.
Who cannot empathize with the young girl, about to be married, who does not know who her real father is? Who cannot relate with the young dancing queen, only 17, who "loses control" and has sexual relations with many males in the era of "free love?" But, "free love" had undesirable consequences to the next generation, as we have come to see. And paradoxically, hope remains that true love will triumph, after all these years of pain and maturation, due to the child of one of these unions, who is "slipping through the fingers" of her parents, who hate to see their little girl mature and grow up and be married. This plot thus takes on a deeper meaning than the surface goofiness, flirtations, whimsicality, and goings-on. Goofy waters sometimes run deep? And, this production is more creative than the Broadway show, in many ways. In particular, I enjoyed the creativity of the dance number of the scuba divers on the pier. I confess that I have never seen a troupe of scuba diver dancers dance so brilliantly. And, Meryl Streep continues to amaze with her almost limitless versatility. Also, Pierce Brosnan is properly dramatic in his speaking roles, although some of his singing needs improvement. So, will the handsome and endearing Mr. Brosnan practice a little more and participate in a forthcoming "Mamma Mia Returns?" Please?