Mama Mia falls a bit short

Rating: 7/10 (21 July 2008)

Mama Mia falls a bit short for me. Meryl Streep is not a believable 40 something. Nor is Pierce, Boranski, her friend or the blond. All are too old for the part. It is a musical. One would hope they could sing and dance a bit. Especially since Meryl was supposed to have been a rock singer. Meryl could just sing. No range. No power. No musical art. Pierce has a poor voice...when measured against pros....Ahh the possibilities.
The story is not low brow. More of a Greek/Shakespearian comedy. People are drawn to island to witness or participate in a wedding and to resolve the bride's parentage issues in order to achieve a standard, white wedding, parental blessing. The Greek Gods (possibly the fairy king?) seem to intercede to confuse a simple plan into a comedy of errors as each player has a separate take on the auspiciousness of such a revelation. Personally, I think the various characters could have been crafted far more artfully and with much greater humor. Ultimately the story reveals a true tragedy of ill starred love....Albeit not nearly as well as Shakespeare would have....Only to have...Aphrodite?.... unleash her well spring of love (and not a little forgiveness) for the benefit of those that have suffered long enough without it. What a wonderful opportunity to do something great...missed.