Pop Culture Buzz

*** STARS

“Mamma Mia!” is the film adaptation of the popular world wide mega-hit musical, based on the songs of successful Swedish pop group ABBA. Meryl Streep heads the cast of the film, playing the role of single mother Donna Sheridan who has been keeping a secret from her daughter. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård play the three potential fathers to Donna’s daughter Sophie (played by the talented Amanda Seyfried) who’ve been secretly invited to the wedding by Sophie to find out which one could be her dad. Although the set up may sound like it was taken from a sitcom, the slapstick mayhem and music work well together.

If you are not familiar with the stage play then be warned: this film is REALLY gay and chock full of “girlie” moments….that said, “Mamma Mia!” was so much fun I was blown away! Most musicals that come out these days seem to have Oscar gold on their minds long before being released. “Dreamgirls” was a fun musical but it was also too serious for its own good. “Hairspray” was a pitch perfect modern musical that comes as close to the exuberant charm of “Mamma Mia!” then any other in recent memory.

The plot of “Mamma Mia!” may seem paper thin, but the adult humor and sexual innuendo peppered throughout this musical keep it from coming off too sticky and sweet like a fist full of cotton candy. The lyrics from each of the ABBA songs used are taken literally when applied to the plot. This is one of the elements that give “Mamma Mia!” the ability to make you laugh out loud and even stand up and cheer. The energy in the audience seemed to grow with each new song and by the end people were singing and dancing in the theater!

The most surprising performance had to come from Pierce Brosnan and the always delightful Christine Baranski (as Meryl Streep’s close friend). The loudest reactions from the audience came from Baranski’s musical numbers and Brosnan’s over the top singing voice. The campy set up and glittery sheen of “Mamma Mia!” doesn’t smother the film completely, there are actually some genuinely tender and sweet moments to be enjoyed.

Meryl Streep again shows that she is America’s most diversified actress in this fun (albeit touristy) musical. This film is so sunny that it should crack through any cynicism and win over the hearts of movie lovers this summer. Of course, it helps to have an A-list cast singing their hearts out to some of the most popular songs ever recorded. This is one of those films that works on every level. If you discount this movie solely based on the material you may be missing out on one of the most surprising fun moments to be had in theaters this year!

WATCH THE “MAMMA MIA!” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW: