Monday, July 21, 2008

Mamma Mia!


Mamma Mia, how I loved this movie. All I can think about is when I can go back to see it. This is ironic, seeing as my first impression of the movie was "that looks totally cheesy." However, when I first saw the previews, I had no idea it was A) a musical and B) the famous Broadway musical with all the Abba songs. Once I realized that, the flamboyancy and goofiness made sense.

Still, I was a little hesitant as the opening credits rolled. I am always wary of musicals... usually the dramatic flare and overacting, while perfectly acceptable on stage, makes me squirm watching it on the big screen. People just shouldn't act like that. Plus, I am sadly uneducated in the songs of Abba and the musical Momma Mia. I have heard of them, that's about it. I had no idea what it was about. For those of you like me, the bottom line is a young girl is getting married and wants her father to give her away, but she has no idea who her father is. After reading her mom's old diary, she invites the three men it could possibly be to the Greek island where she and her mom run a hotel, unbeknownst to her mom. Of course, confusion and chaos ensue, as do numerous song and dance numbers.

After a dream sequence in which Meryl is jet skiing in an evening gown, I was just starting to wonder how I was going to sit through the next two hours when the one song I knew from the soundtrack--Dancing Queen--started up.

What is it about that song?! Every girl cell in my body woke up with a start. I watched in awe as Meryl Streep did air-splits on her bed, cheerleader-style, dancing around with her friends, singing into hair brushes and hair dryers, and I am completely and totally embarrassed to admit what I'm about to admit: I was fighting back tears!! I know, ridiculous! But I know I was only feeling what every other woman in the theater was feeling (and the entire theater was women, almost all of which were over 50): that part of us that will always be 17 years old, dancing around with our friends, singing at the top of our lungs. It took everything in me to sit still and not jump out of my seat and start dancing in the aisles. There was one woman up front who apparently didn't possess my level of self-control. She jumped up and started singing and dancing along with Meryl. It was awesome. I totally wish I would have done it. The entire theater clapped for her when the song was over.

After that, suddenly the movie appealed to me on all new levels. I loved every song after that, and started to relate to the characters emotionally. It helps that Amanda Seyfried, who played the lead, Sophie, is drop-dead gorgeous in a wide-eyed, innocent sort of way. She was perfect, and I loved watching her sweetness. She has a beautiful, clear voice as well.

And Meryl, while not a personal favorite, is unquestionably an amazing actress, and although I wouldn't say musicals is her genre, she could sing, and she was very convincing as a single mother trying to raise her daughter and make ends meet, while echoes from her past remind her of the girl she used to be (and still is). Her friends were a hoot (see if you can recognize her wacky friend with the short dark hair) and also competent singers.

The three men (Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Sarsgard) are adorably charming, even if their singing voices leave something to be desired. (Even the old women next to me who did nothing but gush through the entire movie started to chuckle when Pierce Brosnan busted out a ballad to Meryl. It was not pretty.)

What I loved about it, besides the catchy songs and fun dances, was the characters and the actors who played them. The movie encompassed a large variety of subplots and emotions. From young love to lost love to learning who you are to the bond between a mother and her daughter...it was all kinds of "pass the tissue."

Not to mention the GORGEOUS setting on a Greek island. Oh, how I longed to be there swimming in the clear green water. (The good kind of green, tropical green, not algae green.)

And Colin Firth was a crack-up, giving me the most laughs, although I'm not sure he was trying to be funny.

So...what I'm thinking is, I need to see this again, and I know for a fact my two viewing buddies would see it again in a heartbeat, and since so many people missed it who wanted to see it, we should have a repeat GNO. On one condition: We HAVE to get up and sing and dance. What do you think?

18 comments:

Sara said...

Can't wait to see it. Thanks for the review.

Kris said...

This was a great review of this movie. Jodi told me that you guys went out to see it, so I had to come and read your review. I was in UT and saw it with my Sister on Saturday night. It was a great movie and you are right, it's worth seeing again. The singing the dancing it was all good. Well except Pierce Bronson, who I love, but yeah that nuber that he sang was hilarious! Glad you guys had a great time!

Rachel said...

My sister Amanda went and saw this movie today and LOVED it. It was the perfect feel good movie, and the songs were all so great in their abba-ness. I can't wait for this movie to come out on video!

Heather said...

I was so sad to miss it, so I'm up for a repeat. With enough notice, of course.

debsters said...

My brother got an ABBA album back in '81. I listened to it non-stop and know every word to every song. I've always loved them. I saw the musical a few months ago and can't wait to see the movie. I'm thrilled that you loved it.

meohmyers said...

I can't wait to see this again! I LOVED it! It was so hard to sit still and not sing out loud! Funny thing is you were so secretive about almost shedding tears - TWICE! I had no idea! Funnier thing was 3/4 through the movie and you had only recognized 2 songs at that point. I guess there are benefits to being a child in the EARLY 70s! :)

Jodi said...

I remember listening to the ABBA album growing up too and then of course listening to Erasure ABBA-esque CD and loving all the up-beat songs. I would totally see this movie again. And I'd have to say, I'd agree to singing, but I don't know about dancing... :)

tharker said...

I want to see this one too. I love ABBA! Your review was great...as always! Alicia, I know it's been said like a zillion times, but you really are such a GREAT writer. PLEASE finish that book someday!

By the way, you have been tagged. Check my blog for details.

ashley said...

Thanks for the great review! I wasn't too sure about this movie because of the cheese factor of it in the previews, but you make it sound great! I guess I never knew the storyline too well but now I can't wait to see it, thanks again!

Ms. Kristen said...

YOU HIT IT ON THE NAIL! Excellant review! I am very proud of you! I was the women dancing! Didn't you notice me?
I loved the movie! I was singing out loud...and my daughter was very embarrassed! I love Meryl Streep! I feel in love with her acting during "A Cry in the Dark"! She is real and so good at any character she protrays! As for Pierce....ummmmmm.....he is sexy....not a singer!
So, I ran and bought the cd...and have it blaring in my car! Hunter is now singing every Abba song!
I would love to go and sing and dance with you! Let me know in advance!
Cheers to a number one review! "Clink"!!!!!

michellemybelle said...

I am going to see it tonight. Heahter and I went to see the play here on the strip, New Years Eve. I LOVED IT! How did you not know any Abba songs? DO you need me to send you the Mamma Mia soundtrack, only sung by Abba, not the cast.

Before you go see this flick again, go to THE DARK NIGHT.

Marilyn said...

Alicia, I'll go with you...I'm not sure I'll dance in the aisles, but I'll gladly move out of the way so that you can shimmy your way onto the dance floor...er...I mean aisle.

Alicia said...

Yay! Marilyn, it's a date! (And just so everyone knows, I'm a big talker. I would be the last one to get up and sing and dance.)

Shayla said...

Wow, I totally thought this one looked way cheesy, but now I want to see it, too. I had no desire to see it from the previews. I'm sad I missed it, how do I keep doing that!? Let's go soon! And yeah, I'm not sure I know that many ABBA songs either.

Amy said...

I very much want to see it and am truly hoping for another GNO that isn't the same day I come home from the hospital with a newborn! Rach and I were thinking of taking him with us for a matinee...I may just have to sit a lil ways away so all your crazy singing and dancing wouldn't wake the lil' guy up!

Kristi said...

Sounds like a lot of fun! Great review. Now I want to see it, too!

Elise Peterson: said...

Ah, Colin Firth. The man can do no wrong! He may not be Josh Groban, but I'd let him serenade me. Even with eyeliner :)

Amanda said...

I absolutely LOVED this movie! I was fighting myself not to sing along. I think your reviews are spot on.