Perfect performances - a must see!

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 2008)

Having read so many unfavourable reviews hammering Mamma Mia! I had some secret fears that any of those might turn out to be relevant when I see the movie myself. I was wrong. This film - whatever is said about the direction - is amazing, but not only as a fresh summer "let's-laugh-clap-sing-dance-andhavefun"-type piece. Although it's meant to be funny - and it really IS -, the dramatic moments - most of which the movie owes to Meryl Streep - are breathtaking, and around their culmination point in "The Winner Takes It All" this movie is everything but only a light summer dessert.
It is the most risky scenes that are perfectly managed by the actors and saved from becoming sentimental or cheesy. Although it is highly comical, the drama totally works as well when it comes to it. Furthermore, the music is fantastic, not only because it is all ABBA songs, but because the competence and energy they are performed with provide them with an atmosphere you cannot escape. Meryl Streep DOES GIVE a professional musical performance, she used to train to be an opera singer so it is a serious understatement to say she would not qualify as a professional singer. She is simply amazing, especially in "The Winner Takes It All", as she brings all her acting abilities to it as well and the whole scene becomes a dramatic monologue that glues you to your seat. It is just perfect.
Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and - of course - Julie Walters all contribute a great deal to the fascinating outcome. I can only recommend it.