Don't expect the characters to ever fully become 3D; they are all sketches at best and are jumping through the unlikely hoops of the plot. Comedies like this one, which are based on secrets and misunderstandings, thrive on people not doing the most logical and direct thing to solve their problems. A happy ending was obviously unavoidable, but the emotions in play at the climax weren't set up properly earlier in the movie. A small gay twist at this time, which probably wasn't hinted at before to make it a bigger surprise, feels to the viewer like it was made up on the spot. The larger romantic twist was predictable but is unbelievable because the two people who make a major leap of commitment barely seemed to be on good terms up until that point. But you don't watch this movie for coherence or plot; you watch it to see some fairly major stars bust a move in a dreamily tropical location, while lovingly torturing ABBA songs. And on that slightly off-key note: don't miss the performance at the end credits.
Mamma Mia!, 2008. 108 min. Director: Phyllida Lloyd. Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth.
Article comments
1 - Jen
Your third paragraph is priceless-- I couldn't agree more. Admittedly I am an ABBA fan but to quote Roger Ebert, "I HATED, HATED, HATED THIS MOVIE" (for proof on just how much, I've linked to my review in the URL line). Although this being said it's still better than The Tracey Fragments which was so bad, I can't even bring myself to review it.
Anyway, keep up the great work!
- Jen
2 - Rosie B
This is truly the best movie I have seen in ages. It was hilarious from start to finish. I have seen it twice. Meryl Streep is having a ball as well as the rest of the cast! Completely refreshing!!!! I can't wait to buy it!
3 - Christopher Rose
Rosie B, you need to get out more. If the vision of a bunch of seriously aged stars desperately trying to act half their age whilst singing and dancing pretty badly is your idea of a good movie, well, you deserve to see it both in the cinema and on DVD. Every day for the rest of your life...
4 - sue
It was a brilliant feel good film which brought people together. The cinemas in UK were full of people from aged 5 - 100. People were dancing in the aisles. People were having fun. Pierce was brilliant because he tried to sing - how many of us would love to sing but are scared to try. I loved the movie.
5 - Michael
"It's like coming sober to a party where the others are already tipsy and well into the swing of things. "
That is why I did not go to watch it sober. It is a terrible movie and I loved almost every minute of it. It isn't a film; it's a big ridiculous party down to the exploding water and the awesome jumpsuits.