Thursday, July 17, 2008


Cast of Mamma Mia

Ethan had this wracking cough and cold that I let him stay home yesterday. By 1:30 pm he said he was bored. I was bored too. Then I remembered my girl friend’s text that I just have to watch the movie Mamma Mia. So Ethan played hooky (classes were eventually suspended yesterday) while we met with my other daughters at MOA for the movie.

I love the music of ABBA. For those who are not familiar with the quartet, this Swedish group was an international hit in the 70’s and 80’s. Chiquitita, Dancing Queen and Thank you for the Music were some of their greatest hits. An enterprising Brit, producer and fan Judy Cramer had the idea of using the Abba songs for a musical. Working with Abba song writers/performers Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Catherine Johnson, the writer, and director Phyllida Lloyd, Cramer staged "Mamma Mia!" in London's West End in 1999. The musical has been seen by over 30 million people and translated into 11 languages since then. The movie surpassed my expectations.

Every hit stage musical eventually turns into a movie. Mamma Mia is a celebration of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper join Meryl Streep as the lead, Donna. Donna is an independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island. She (Streep) is about to give away in marriage Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), the spirited daughter she's raised alone. For Sophie's wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends--practical and no-nonsense-never been married- book author Rosie (Julie Walters) and wealthy-hot-sexy- multi-divorcee Tanya (Christine Baranski). The girl friends were from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. Without Donna’s knowledge, Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own. Sophie grew up without knowing who her father was and what better way to find out than bringing back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. The story folds and unfolds in over 24 chaotic, magical hours. New love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this paradise full of possibilities. The truly inspiring part was that the story and the performers gave justice to ABBA’s music. Oh did I mention, the movie was a musical? I had to bite my tongue and hold on to my seat to stop myself from bursting into a song and grooving to 70’s moves.

Meryl Streep was brilliant. She can act, sing, dance and even do the Russian! Pierce Brosnan – Bond, James Bond - was a revelation when he sang S.O.S and more! My gosh! The vocal blending and choreography of Streep, Walters and Baranski was unbelievable. The costumes were to die for (at least for me). Firth and Skarsgard did their bit well too although Firth was looking peculiar while doing the Travolta-staying-alive bit. Amanda Seyfried as Sophie fit the role to a T. Her voice was pure and simple. No frills and trills but in pitch.

Mamma Mia maybe the cheeriest, most positive movie I have seen for the longest time. It is a "feel good movie" best seen with your family and friends. The whole theater sang with Donna, Tanya and Rosie as they sang Dancing Queen. I clapped my hands after the movie to show my appreciation. Viewers took a while to get off their seats to go home. I waited a bit longer. I just had to do my solo bit first. I stood up and sang Thank you for the Music together with Sophie as the movie credits rolled on.

It's a see it again and again and again movie.

Posted by desperateblogger On 7/17/2008 11:26:00 AM 5 comments

5 comments:

  1. "It's a see it again and again and again movie."

    My sentiments exactly! :-)

    I watched it two times since, and i'm planning on my third, and fourth...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan in one move - Mamma Mia, I have to see that!

    ReplyDelete
  3. i wanna watch that! i saw the trailer and it sure look funny! but i can't because nobody will look after my boy. sad. i will just have to wait till the dvd comes out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. purple sky: i'm planning to watch again on sunday then buy the dvd so i can watch it over and over again.

    deborah: yes! go see the movie! it's worth your while.

    sheng: tag along kaiden. it's PG 13. ethan's 5 and he too enjoyed the movie.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tita:

    I was wondering if they sang "Fernando." He he he.

    ReplyDelete

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