Feel-good musical at its best!

Rating: 7/10 (24 July 2008)

When you hear the name ABBA, do your eyes light up? Does it send you into a frenzy of dancing and joy? Well then, stop reading this review and go see this movie! Conversely, does the mention of ABBA send you running in the opposite direction in fear? If so, then why are you reading this? In short, Mamma Mia! is a film for ABBA-fans and even people who enjoy feel-good movies at their best! Musical is not a genre I usually go for (the select few I like are probably the most obvious: "Chicago," "West Side Story," "Sweeney Todd" and "Singin' in the Rain." However, Mamma Mia! succeeds in every way a musical should do. With stunning locations, an excellent cast and toe-tapping musical numbers, it should strike a note with most people.
The story itself is a piece of light fluff. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) lives with her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), in a run-down hotel on an idyllic Greek island. She is engaged to the handsome Sky (Dominic Cooper), but wants nothing more than to have her father show up to the wedding. Unfortunately, she had no idea who he is, until she reads her mum's diary and narrows it down to three men: Bill (Stellan Skarsgård), Sam Carmichael (Pierce Brosnan) and Harry Bright (Colin Firth). Sophie proceeds to invite all three to her wedding and naturally, chaos ensues. The story follows a seemingly predictable pattern, but honestly, too much enjoyment is to be had for that to really prove annoying.
Director Phyllida Lloyd does something which often determines mediocre musicals from good ones; and that is to seamlessly work the songs into the story. Every song becomes relevant to the plot and not one seems out of place. Also, all the actors can sing well, and this helps draw one into the movie. Most people have ragged Brosnan's singing ability, and while it is not perfect by any means, it is tolerable. Streep is a natural stand-out, who just throws herself into her role (obviously not taking herself seriously at all). Her rendition of "The Winner Takes it All" is definitely a note-worthy scene. Likewise, Christine Baranski and Julie Walters, who play Donna's friends Tanya and Rosie, are complete scene stealers. They can sing and dance and do not feel like supporting actresses at all (both there numbers are incredibly catchy). Seyfried was a great choice for lead actresses, she is not only gorgeous, but has a fantastic voice and just exudes charm. I can not forget the guys, though, Cooper, who plays the tanned husband is not on screen a lot, but is a competent actor. Firth and Skarsgård are as good as Brosnan, all three are funny and obviously had an awesome time making the film.
The music, is well, what you would expect from an ABBA musical. All the numbers are very well filmed, especially "Dancing Queen" and "Lay all Your Love on Me." Those two would easily have one dancing in the aisle and singing along. Mamma Mia! was filmed on location in Greece and what a sight it is! All the colours are vibrant, the sea sparkling and the beaches dazzling. Mamma Mia! is without a doubt one of the best feel-good films of the year that even manages to provide some genuine laughs at times. I say give it a go if you need some cheering up or you love your ABBA!
3½/5