Review of Mamma Mia! (2008) by Patrick L — 19 Aug 2013

"Mamma Mia" appears to be a hidden gem, one that I may have foolishly disregarded when it came to theatres perhaps because it was a musical (I like good musicals), perhaps it was the cast (I have come to like and appreciate Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, and especially Amanda Seyfried more recently and I've always liked Pierce Brosnan, if not his films or roles), or perhaps the music of Abba (which I do appreciate a little)?

I watched the special features which included the gem of the musical sing-alongs and it was near the end of the songs that I felt tears and appreciated the chance to watch the film itself. 10/10, just on the viewing of the special features. I feel this is an ambitious, risk-taking modern musical with only a few or one or two false notes.

A young woman, raised by her single "flower-child" mother, prepares for her wedding and invites three men who may be her father. They, all very different men from the same generation, arrive and meet each other and discover their common link. Hilarity, confusion, romance and some good musical scenes that are based on ABBA songs ensues! I like this film even with its flaws and compare it favourably with the traditional "Fiddler on the Roof". I even had the inspiration that a good film might incorporate and compare modernism versus tradition. 10/10.