I saw Mamma Mia! Last night and loved it. I’ve successfully resisted watching it until now. I had it categorised as a girly-movie or chick-flick not the type of movie I’d willingly watch! It also had another major drawback for me – it’s riddled with ABBA music.
I never got ABBA. When they were producing hit after hit my attention was taken by Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Yes I liked pop; I loved and still love The Beatles. More recently I’ve embraced The Sugababes, The Scissor Sisters and Gwen Stefani. But despite all of this I just could not make a space for ABBA.
Well I’m converted now. Last night I needed a DVD that I could watch with my Mam (79) – one that was fun and didn’t have a plot that was too subtle or complex. A few catchy songs and some dance would help also. My Mam loves musicals. I grew up watching all kinds of dodgy plot lines put to music. Some have stuck with me and given the chance I’d watch them again and again. West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma! to name a few of my favourites.
When my wife initially suggested Mamma Mia! I was reluctant. Surely there’s something with a bit of action starring Sean Connery that would do. Perhaps we should go back to the classics like Casablanca, To Kill A Mocking Bird or The Shawshank Redemption. But although I love all of these films none would have been right for my Mam. There really was only one option and that involved ABBA.
At about half six we turned on the TV, put on the DVD and sat back. I think I lasted three songs before all my resistance melted away and I just let go. My Mam was loving it, my wife, who had seen it in the cinema, was loving it and I was hooked, and loving it. I have heard some people say it’s so bad it’s good. I can understand that as some of the performances are over the top and not every lead has a great singing voice. But the movie is fantastic. And unlike other attempts to claim the title, I believe Mamma Mia! is truly the feel-good movie of the year.
There are standout performances from Meryl Streep and Christine Baranski and I give the bravest actor in the world award to Pierce Brosnan. My favourite scene, and this is hard to choose, is when Donna (Meryl Streep) sings The Winner Takes It All to Sam (Pierce Brosnan). Possibly the only ABBA song that I’d admit to liking before Mamma Mia! changed everything. I bet the cast laughed their heads off making this film. I know I did watching it.
We had a great night and I am happy and willing to admit finally to liking ABBA. The secret (one which eluded me for so long) is not to think about it, not to analyse the songs, just let go and enjoy them for what they are; some of the best examples of pop ever created.
I saw Mamma Mia! Last night and loved it. I’ve successfully resisted watching it until now. I had it categorised as a girly-movie or chick-flick not the type of movie I’d willingly watch! It also had another major drawback for me – it’s riddled with ABBA music.
I never got ABBA. When they were producing hit after hit my attention was taken by Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Yes I liked pop; I loved and still love The Beatles. More recently I’ve embraced The Sugababes, The Scissor Sisters and Gwen Stefani. But despite all of this I just could not make a space for ABBA.
Well I’m converted now. Last night I needed a DVD that I could watch with my Mam (79) – one that was fun and didn’t have a plot that was too subtle or complex. A few catchy songs and some dance would help also. My Mam loves musicals. I grew up watching all kinds of dodgy plot lines put to music. Some have stuck with me and given the chance I’d watch them again and again. West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma! to name a few of my favourites.
When my wife initially suggested Mamma Mia! I was reluctant. Surely there’s something with a bit of action starring Sean Connery that would do. Perhaps we should go back to the classics like Casablanca, To Kill A Mocking Bird or The Shawshank Redemption. But although I love all of these films none would have been right for my Mam. There really was only one option and that involved ABBA.
At about half six we turned on the TV, put on the DVD and sat back. I think I lasted three songs before all my resistance melted away and I just let go. My Mam was loving it, my wife, who had seen it in the cinema, was loving it and I was hooked, and loving it. I have heard some people say it’s so bad it’s good. I can understand that as some of the performances are over the top and not every lead has a great singing voice. But the movie is fantastic. And unlike other attempts to claim the title, I believe Mamma Mia! is truly the feel-good movie of the year.
There are standout performances from Meryl Streep and Christine Baranski and I give the bravest actor in the world award to Pierce Brosnan. My favourite scene, and this is hard to choose, is when Donna (Meryl Streep) sings The Winner Takes It All to Sam (Pierce Brosnan). Possibly the only ABBA song that I’d admit to liking before Mamma Mia! changed everything. I bet the cast laughed their heads off making this film. I know I did watching it.
We had a great night and I am happy and willing to admit finally to liking ABBA. The secret (one which eluded me for so long) is not to think about it, not to analyse the songs, just let go and enjoy them for what they are; some of the best examples of pop ever created.
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I saw Mamma Mia the other day too, and like you, I was not expecting much.
But, like you, I liked it!
Not a bad movie, and good cheerful stuff too.
Cheers,
Alex