A “Mamma Mia!” Summer craze swept through the United States with the release of the musical turned movie on July 18. Quinnipiac Students had the privilege of watching the entertaining production as part of an SPB program last week.
While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it is sure to have you tapping your feet and singing right along to all of the songs by Abba, whose songs comprise the film. Even though “Mamma Mia!” has been called everything from delightfully marvelous to an absolute train wreck, director Phyllida Lloyd and writer Catherine Johnson turned the theatrical production into a Hollywood hit (world-wide the film has gone on to make over $500 million in revenue, according to Box Office Mojo). The film has plenty of comedy and romance to please everyone.
The plot centers around twenty-year-old Sophie Sheridan, played by Amanda Seyfried (“Mean Girls”), who prepares for her wedding at her home in Greece. Still, Sophie dreads the day because she knows it will not be the same without a father; the part of her life that is still empty as she yearns for answers.
The music starts immediately in the film as Sophie reads her mother’s diary and learns of the three men; one of whom could possibly be her father. Against her mother’s knowledge and judgment, Sophie invites all three men-Bill Anderson (Stellan Skarsgard), Sam Carmichael (Pierce Brosnan) and Harry Bright (Colin Firth)-to her big day.
“It made me want to stand up and start singing and dancing in the aisles of the movie theatre!” said Quinnipiac sophomore, Danielle Mazeika.
Even though Brosnan’s pipes don’t sound like those of an angel, the rest of the star-studded cast makes up for his shortcomings. Meryl Streep has such a beautiful voice and looked like she was having the most fun in years. The young Seyfried enhances the quality of the film, carrying the cast until the end with her charm and fresh new talent. As corny as the songs are by the Swedish pop band Abba, most know the words to the hits “Super Trouper” and “Dancing Queen.”
In reference to her first major role opposite Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried said to movietome.com that: “It doesn’t really get better than this. I’m afraid I’m going to just have to beg Meryl to do another movie with me. She’s so in touch with herself. I know that comes with age, but I’m really excited to figure out who I am.”
“Mamma Mia!” played at Buckman Theatre on Oct. 10 and 12. Be sure to look out for the DVD when it heads into stores within the next few months.
