Mamma Mia! (2008)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Phyllida Lloyd

Writers:

Catherine Johnson (screenplay)
Catherine Johnson (musical book)

Release Date:

18 July 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Take a trip down the aisle you'll never forget

Plot:

The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Wedding | Scuba | Hotel | Closeted Homosexual

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 12 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 18	8:00 PM	HBO
Sun. July 19	1:15 AM	HBO

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Donna Sheridan
Pierce Brosnan	...	Sam Carmichael
Colin Firth	...	Harry Bright
Stellan Skarsgård	...	Bill Anderson
Julie Walters	...	Rosie
Dominic Cooper	...	Sky
Amanda Seyfried	...	Sophie Sheridan
Christine Baranski	...	Tanya
Ashley Lilley	...	Ali
Nancy Baldwin	...	Sam's PA
Rachel McDowall	...	Lisa
Heather Emmanuel	...	Harry's Housekeeper
Ricardo Montez	...	Stannos
Mia Soteriou	...	Arina
Enzo Squillino Jr.	...	Gregoris

Also Known As:

Mamma Mia! The Movie (UK) (promotional title) (USA) (promotional title)
Mamma Mia! (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sex-related comments.

Runtime:

USA:108 min | Argentina:108 min

Country:

UK | USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Ireland:PG | Australia:PG | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Sweden:Btl | Netherlands:AL | Finland:S | Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44470) | South Korea:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | UK:PG | Singapore:PG | Norway:A | Portugal:M/6 | Hong Kong:IIA | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:Atp | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | South Africa:PG | Peru:PT | Brazil:10 | Germany:o.Al. | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Mexico:B

Filming Locations:

Agios Ioannis Chapel, Skopelos, Greece

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Cameo: [Benny Andersson]playing piano during the 'Dancing Queen' sequence

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Sophie and her brides maids are trying on their dresses she uses safety pins to shorten the chain straps. When Skye comes in the pins are no longer visible, only the chains.

Quotes:

Donna: Wh-wh what are you all doing here?
Bill: I'm writing a travel piece.
Harry Bright: I- I'm on a spontaneous holiday.
Sam Carmichael: I-I-I I just dropped in to say... hi.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) [instrumental]

Surprisingly good

Went to see Mamma Mia without particularly high expectations. Not being a big connoisseur (or even fan) of musicals, I didn't really know what to expect. Though I adore ABBA, I never bothered to watch the stage production of Mamma Mia. But having a cinema membership, I didn't have much to lose (no money, at least), so I went for it. And boy, am I glad that I did! I can safely say that I enjoyed every second of it. And I'm not even ashamed to admit it!

Give Meryl Streep another Oscar and get it over with already. If she could get a nod for the Devil Wears Prada, she definitely deserves one for this. She really let her hair down on this one. Mrs. Streep can obviously not pass for a trained singer, but somehow, it just doesn't seem to matter. It just really worked in the movie (unlike -say- Helena Bonham Carter's singing in Sweeney Todd). When I heard Meryl's rendition of "The winner takes it all" in advance, it lowered my expectations considerably, but in its context, it totally made sense.

Most of all though, this movie was just sheer fun. People were clapping, laughing...Rarely have I seen an audience as enthusiastic. The crowd especially responded well to Meryl and her two cronies (arguably the strongholds of the movie). Also, because I had never seen the musical before, I was amazed (and amused) at the inventive ways in which they managed to incorporate so many ABBA-songs. Equally brilliant was the way the extras (usually some Greek old women) were deployed throughout the movie...And then of course the setting (beautiful Greece) was mesmerizing...

Basically, Mamma Mia is a superb musical that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're just a little bit crazy and want to have a good laugh, if you love ABBA, want to see Meryl Streep like you've never seen her before or if you simply have a secret crush on Colin Firth and/or Pierce Brosnan (his singing was nothing short of hilarious), you will LOVE this movie. Best summer flick so far. Warmly recommended.