Mama Mia, the movie

[question everything]

OK, I really liked ABBA in the 70s. Someplace I may still have a cassette tape.

What I liked in the movie is Meryl Streep, Julie Walters and Christine Baranski - all woman "of a certain age" who were dancing, singing, running and were just having fun. Certainly were not behaving "according to their age."

I did not mind the story line, pretty much was enjoying the musical parts. Especially the "Dancing Queen" which "liberated" all the local women, throwing away the pile of wood carried, or their apron, or any other domestic related chore.

Of course, some of the ABBA songs were on "Muriel Wedding" and "Priscilla Queen of the Desert."

I think that watching this movie of the beautiful Greek island in the dead of winter here can really give someone a strong cabin fever..

[begin_within]

1. I had mixed feelings about it

For one thing, they did not include "The Visitors" which I think is ABBA's best song. And I hate it when Meryl Streep takes a role because she is thinking, "Hey, it'll be fun!" (And what's another few million bucks - nothing to sneeze at, right?) I wish she'd stick to her accents and moments of high drama. So I watched "Mamma Mia" with an attitude of cynicism about it all. "Muriel's Wedding" came out at a time when ABBA seemed to have been forgotten and it seemed cool to have a character which was a huge ABBA fan. Oh well enough grumbling.

[spindrifter]

2. I loved it--especially the

chorus line where the men were wearing multicolored flippers. I know those Greek workers--I grew up with them.

[elleng]

3. Loved the show,

and still enjoy the music.

[tigereye]

4. I liked it - but friends said the theater version was better

the movie was a lot of fun just for the gorgeous scenery and the great actresses.

[applegrove]

5. My niece said to me "Do you know that Mama Mia was really rock music from a group named Abba?". Made

me feel old.

[Bucky]

6. For a six month period last year, about half my conversations involved the phrase...

"If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's this: Pierce Brosnan can't sing."

I mean, sweet Jesus, what were they thinking? He was horrible. The whole movie was fun, light fare. But seriously, the boy just couldn't vocalize a note if his life depended on it.

 

[hunter]

7. He sure made a good go of it however.

It was wonderful.

Someday, no matter how badly you sing, you might be in a musical!

[Frank Cannon]

8. I am a huge, lifelong ABBA fan, and that movie was nails on a chalkboard to me

I might have forgiven the hopelessly dopey storyline and dialog if they'd just had a little more respect for the music. They not only picked actors who couldn't sing, but they found some who were just downright gawdawful and painful to listen to.

[nuxvomica]

9. I enjoyed it

It had a lot of joie de vivre, which you don't often see in movies lately. My only issue was the half-hearted way they included "Fernando". It's one of ABBA's most famous songs but they couldn't figure out how to make it part of the plot so they just tossed it in briefly.