a movie review by Maya
Mamma Mia! is a 2008 stage-to-film adaptation of the 1999 West End musical of the same name, based on the songs of successful pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson. It was produced by Universal Pictures and became the highest-grossing film musical of all time. The title originates from ABBA’s 1975 chart-topper “Mamma Mia.” Most of the filming was done on the small Greek island of Skopelos (during August/September 2007),and the seaside of Damouchari in the Pelion area of Greece. On Skopelos, Kastani beach on the south west coast was the film’s main location site. Other parts of the film were produced on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios, where lighting and temperature could be controlled.
Brief Summary
On a fictional island in Greece, 20 year old bride-to-be Sophie Sheridan played by actress Amanda Seyfried sends out wedding invitations to three different men. Sophie has found her mother’s diary and has learned she has three possible dads: New York-based Irish architect Sam Carmicheal played by Pierce Brosnan, Swedish adventurer and writer Bill Andersson played by Stellan Skarsgard, and British banker Harry Bright played by Colin Firth. She invited these three men without telling Donna, her mother played by Meryl Streep, believing that after she spends time with them she will know who her father is. Donna finds the three men and is unable to handle the memories so she asks them to leave the island. Sophie convinces them to stay. To avoid tension between the three men, Sophie instead asks her mother to give her away at the wedding ceremony. Soon enough Sophie confesses to her fiance Sky played by Dominic Cooper that she invited all three potential fathers. Sky is unsure about what he wants to do about the wedding and decides he wants to wait and travel before they settle. During the wedding ceremony, her mother finally mentions the father issue and the secrets begin unravelling. One of the men proposes to her mother, revealing to her he still has those same feelings. They end up getting married right then and there so that the wedding party isn’t wasted.
Mamma Mia! is a great movie to watch with friends and family. This movie is appropriate for all ages. All the songs went perfect with the scenes they were played at and they all were catchy. Some of my favourite songs played in this movie were: “Honey, Honey”, “Money, Money, Money”, “Mamma Mia”, and “ Our Last Summer”. It has a sense of humour and definitely catches you in the moment making you want to get up and dance. I was surprised to find out that On December 15, 2008, it was announced that Mamma Mia! had become the highest-grossing film in the United Kingdom of all time. The previous record was held by Titanic, which was released in the UK in 1998. With a great success with this film I am looking forward to another sequel of what happens next.
Cast
Meryl Streep -as Donna Sheridan, Sophie’s mother, owner of the hotel Villa Donna. Wife of Sam at the end.
Amanda Seyfried -as Sophie Sheridan, Donna’s daughter and Sky’s fiancée.
Julie Walters- as Rosie Mulligan, one of Donna’s best friends, an unmarried fun-loving author. Christine Baranski- as Tanya, the other of Donna’s best friends, a rich, three-time divorcée.
Pierce Brosnan- as Sam Carmichael, Sophie’s possible father, husband to Donna, and an American architect.
Colin Firth- as Harry Bright, Sophie’s possible father and a British banker.
Stellan Skarsgård- as Bill Anderson, Sophie’s possible father, a Swedish sailor and travel writer. Dominic Cooper- as Sky, Sophie’s fiancé, designing a website for the hotel.
Philip Michael- as Pepper, Sky’s best man who likes Tanya.
Ashley Lilley -as Ali, a close friend of Sophie.
Rachel McDowall- as Lisa, a close friend of Sophie.
Benny Andersson- as Piano player during “Dancing Queen”
Bjorn Ulvaeus- as Greek god
Rita Wilson- as Greek goddess
Here is the theatrical trailer for the movie:
