On track to be a summer super trouper
No matter how many blockbusters there are, Universal's screen version of the global hit stage musical Mamma Mia! is the most fun to be had at the movies this or any other recent summer.
Teenage boys may be glued to the latest action adventure, but the rest of the family will have a rollicking good time dancing in the aisles to Swedish pop group ABBA's irresistible songs. It's a delightful piece of filmmaking with a marvellous cast topped by Meryl Streep in one of her smartest and most entertaining performances.
After its world premiere in London last week, the film opens in North America on July 18. It will surely follow the stage show around the world in pleasing audiences and raking in what one of the infectious songs celebrates: Money, Money, Money.
Credit goes to the original show's creators – producer Judy Craymer, director Phyllida Lloyd and writer Catherine Johnson – for seeing their vision through to such a polished and enjoyable picture.
Hanging a tale of a woman whose daughter might have been fathered by one of three men on a bunch of ABBA songs sounds simple, but its simplicity is as deceptive as the masterfully crafted songs themselves.
Streep is Donna, a former singer who raised daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) alone at a fading resort on a remote Greek island.
Sophie finds her mother's diary from 20 years ago and discovers that there are three men who might be her father.
About to be married to boyfriend Sky (Dominic Cooper), she sends wedding invitations to all three on behalf of her mother but without telling her.
Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard, as the possible dads, show up on the island where Donna is preparing for the wedding, helped by two pals (Julie Walters and Christine Baranski). The scene is set for the memorable songs and romance, all staged brilliantly.
The songs from Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus have memorably sturdy lyrics that the filmmakers weave with great skill into their story. All of the players perform with gusto, including Skarsgard, Brosnan and Firth who, far from embarrassing themselves, sing well and deserve high praise for being such good sports.
Seyfried and Cooper are up to the task, while Walters and Baranski contribute greatly to the film's comedy.
Each has a solo number, with Baranski belting out Does Your Mother Know? to a beach bum and Walters entreating a reluctant groom with Take a Chance on Me.
Streep is sensationally good in performing dramatically moving songs such as Slipping Through My Fingers, sung to her departing daughter, and The Winner Takes It All, to a lost love.
And when Streep teams with Walters and Baranski for numbers such as Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia! and Super Trouper, there's not an audience anywhere that won't be smiling.
The number
$90m
The total production budget of Mamma Mia! as reported by boxofficemojo.com
Mama Mia! Stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Amanda Seyfried. Rated PG 15