Here's another case of something original turned into something else, and then turned into something else again. Just like the movie Hairspray, which was made into a musical, then turned into a movie about the musical, Mamma Mia! takes the songs of ABBA to the stage and now onto the big screen in the new film starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried and a large cast of characters.I had the chance to see a screening of the movie on Friday, and I will be honest in saying that I was majorly skeptical going in. I'm just not one to enjoy cheesy, overly-joyous productions or moments when characters spontaneously burst into song, and I even sat with a cringed look on my face for the first 10 minutes or so, but I can't lie... I was totally into it.
The movie was fun, happy and even got me a little choked up a few times. People have been saying this about the musical for years, but it's like the songs were written specifically for Mamma Mia! and not the other way around. While I'm clearly not of the ABBA generation, I found myself singing along to most of the songs without realizing that I knew all the words.
Let me say this: If I was a middled-aged woman with a daughter (or maybe even without one) Meryl Streep would be my god. She was amazing and vibrant and incredibly youthful for a woman who is pushing 60 years old. She commanded the screen and was both powerful and vulnerable at the same time. I can imagine that she represented everything that moms in middle America wish they could be. Wild, free and independent.
Amanda Seyfriend, who plays the daughter in the film, was amazing as well. Where has this girl been hiding? Most of us haven't seen her since her role as ditsy Karen in Mean Girls, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mamma Mia! shoots her up into the ranks of young Hollywood. She has the X-factor, whatever that may be. Sweet, beautiful and just naive enough to be lovable and not annoying. Great voice, too.
Then there's Pierce Brosnan. He wasn't bad, and was just as suave as you'd expect him to be, but when James Bond opened his mouth and started singing "S.O.S." by ABBA, the entire theater erupted with laughter. It was the kind of nervous and anxious laughter like when your dad decides to dance at a wedding or sing karaoke. I couldn't recover from my feelings of embarrassment. It really took me out of the film and made it hard for me to come back. Sorry, 007.
The rest of the cast was fantastic, too! Everyone had their own little moment in the spotlight. The extras playing Greek villagers were hilarious, and the setting and scenery were just beautiful. I may have been cheesed out at first, but I came out of the movie feeling happy and ready to go out and have a good time. So, if you want to go to a non-serious, funny, joyous film then you should go see Mamma Mia! Just be prepared for Brosnan's singing debut.