Mamma Mia
By Marshall Fine
Rating:
Who’s in it: Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan
What’s it about: A young woman (Amanda Seyfried, “Mean Girls”) invites three men (who might be her father) to her wedding without telling her mother (Streep) – all to the music of ABBA!
Whee!: This film version of the Broadway hit is the most entertaining summer musical since “Grease” – a frothy, fun-filled romp from start to finish. The story is slight but who cares when the actors are belting out ABBA classics at the slightest provocation? And what a cast: Oscar-winner Streep looks like she’s having more fun than she’s had in years as the aging hippie who had a trio of summer flings 20 years earlier – and doesn’t know which one is the father of her daughter.
Now she owns a struggling hotel in Greece and doesn’t know that her daughter has secretly invited her old flames to the wedding, in hopes of figuring out which one is really her dad. And the three guys – Firth, Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard – join in the fun, singing with a twinkle in their eye and more feeling than you’d expect. An added treat: Christine Baranski and Julie Walters, as Streep’s oldest friends, who also come for the wedding. The Greek-island setting is gorgeous and the music has that catchy ABBA sound – but also works as a comment on the action and the characters.
Long story short: Careful – it could cause spontaneous sing-alongs!
More Reviews
Bruno
When Bruno, an Austrian fashion reporter, loses his job, he comes to Hollywood to try to become a star.
When Bruno, an Austrian fashion reporter, loses his job, he comes to Hollywood to try to become a star.
Humpday
In this Sundance hit, two male college friends - one married, one single - reunite 10 years after school and decide to make a gay porn for a contest.
In this Sundance hit, two male college friends - one married, one single - reunite 10 years after school and decide to make a gay porn for a contest.
Blood: The Last Vampire
A young woman warrior - half-human, half-vampire - must bring down the king of all demons.
A young woman warrior - half-human, half-vampire - must bring down the king of all demons.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Manny the Mammoth, his mate Ellie and Diego the sabertooth tiger must rescue Sid the Sloth from an underground world where dinosaurs still roam.
Manny the Mammoth, his mate Ellie and Diego the sabertooth tiger must rescue Sid the Sloth from an underground world where dinosaurs still roam.
The Hurt Locker
Bomb-squad commander Will James counts down the days of his duty in Iraq. Will he survive in one piece?
Bomb-squad commander Will James counts down the days of his duty in Iraq. Will he survive in one piece?
The Girl From Monaco
While defending a rich woman on a murder charge on the French Riviera, a criminal-defense attorney gets caught up in a passionate affair that threatens his case.
While defending a rich woman on a murder charge on the French Riviera, a criminal-defense attorney gets caught up in a passionate affair that threatens his case.
My Sister's Keeper
Anna, a girl born to be a donor for her cancer-stricken older sister, decides she doesn't want to give her a kidney.
Anna, a girl born to be a donor for her cancer-stricken older sister, decides she doesn't want to give her a kidney.
Surveillance
In this creepy thriller, FBI agents investigate a possible serial-killer strike in a small town.
In this creepy thriller, FBI agents investigate a possible serial-killer strike in a small town.
The Proposal
When her visa expires, Margaret, a Canadian-born book editor, discovers that she'll be deported unless she marries Andrew, the assistant she has mistreated for the past three years.
When her visa expires, Margaret, a Canadian-born book editor, discovers that she'll be deported unless she marries Andrew, the assistant she has mistreated for the past three years.
The Taking of Pelham 123
A New York transit official (Denzel Washington) must cope with a group of criminals who hijack a subway.
A New York transit official (Denzel Washington) must cope with a group of criminals who hijack a subway.
Imagine That
An investment broker finds that his young daughter's imaginary friends are giving him great tips about where to invest. Or are they?
An investment broker finds that his young daughter's imaginary friends are giving him great tips about where to invest. Or are they?
Cheri
In early 20th century Paris, a wealthy courtesan (Michelle Pfeiffer) finds herself falling in love with a much younger man (Rupert Friend).
In early 20th century Paris, a wealthy courtesan (Michelle Pfeiffer) finds herself falling in love with a much younger man (Rupert Friend).
Whatever Works
An aging physicist (Larry David) marries a Southern teen (Evan Rachel Woods), to the outrage of his mother (Patricia Clarkson).
An aging physicist (Larry David) marries a Southern teen (Evan Rachel Woods), to the outrage of his mother (Patricia Clarkson).
Moon
An astronaut (Sam Rockwell) who works as a miner on the moon suffers strange events that threaten his well-being.
An astronaut (Sam Rockwell) who works as a miner on the moon suffers strange events that threaten his well-being.
Food Inc.
This frightening documentary reveals how industrialized food production means we're getting less nutrition and less food safety.
This frightening documentary reveals how industrialized food production means we're getting less nutrition and less food safety.
The Hangover
Three groomsmen wake up in Las Vegas after a bachelor party, with no memory of the night before or where the groom is!
Three groomsmen wake up in Las Vegas after a bachelor party, with no memory of the night before or where the groom is!
My Life in Ruins
An American tour guide in Athens is fed up with her life - until she falls for her hot bus driver.
An American tour guide in Athens is fed up with her life - until she falls for her hot bus driver.
Away We Go
A long-time couple, expecting a baby, travel the country visiting friends and family, searching for the perfect place to raise their child.
A long-time couple, expecting a baby, travel the country visiting friends and family, searching for the perfect place to raise their child.
Terminator Salvation
Resistance leader John Connor battles machines that have destroyed Earth and confronts a new breed of Terminator.
Resistance leader John Connor battles machines that have destroyed Earth and confronts a new breed of Terminator.
Easy Virtue
A British gentleman (Ben Barnes) brings his new American wife (Jessica Biel) home to meet his stiff upper-class family.
A British gentleman (Ben Barnes) brings his new American wife (Jessica Biel) home to meet his stiff upper-class family.
