Mama Mia

[mrdreamjeans]

"Mama Mia", that's a tasty meatball bit of summer viewing fun! It took a month to reach us, but the film musical, starring Meryl Streep, finally reached Brenham. I took my folks yesterday and we thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon out of the 100 degree plus heat. Some of my friends will be surprised that I liked the movie, as I was quite vocal in how much I disliked the touring stage production I saw in Seattle.

A few comments ... Is there anything that Meryl Streep can't do? She was a funny, whimsical, bawdy and touching center to the film. She sang really well, especially knocking my socks off in "The Winner Takes It All". Amanda Seyfield, the young woman playing Sophie, her daughter, was simply splendid! The mother-daughter relationship between the two of them was completely believable. Julie Walters nearly stole the show as Streep's quirky cookbook author friend; Christine Baranski, with her roots firmly planted in Broadway, was a hoot as the thrice-divorced Sonia (though I admit her solo number on the beach was unexpectedly discomforting to me).

The male performances were a mixed bag. Pierce Brosnan and Streep certainly had chemistry, but his singing was amateurish. (It was actually better than I expected from what I'd read.) I didn't like the young actor playing Skye, Sophie's fiance, shirtless or with his shirt on. Now, Colin Firth ... that's another story ... *swoon* ... and his singing was quite good. What made the movie so much fun was the use of a literal Greek chorus that popped up at odd moments, played for laughs. Also, the gorgeous location in the Greek Islands didn't hurt the eyes! :) All in all, "Mama Mia" was just what I wanted on a Saturday afternoon in August .. escapist entertainment, silly fun, dominated by a performance with a lot of heart! Be aware that it's still a forced premise for a musical; plus, you've got to like ABBA's music (so much of it has a sameness about it); but, if leave your critic's hat at home and just go to have fun, you will.

Off-topic: I was delighted to fill up my gas tank at $3.59/gallon yesterday. The price is down 53 cents a gallon in the past two weeks. My first thought? "When's the Republican National Convention?" LOL! I'll take it.

Comments

[cincycub.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed it... I thought it was so much fun!

Glad that you made these comments

[rockey1.livejournal.com]

contrary to you I really enjoyed the stage production but had read in some posts that the movie was not really that good. I seldom pay attention to what others say about a movie as I usually find that I like things that others don't enjoy. I take them for what they are "Entertainment" and not always an academy award performance. I just got home and that is on my list of things to do. I recall last year I saw the other side of this when I saw the live stage production of Precilla Queen of the Desert after seeing the movie and I must say if that show ever gets to the USA (I think that Elton John bought the rights to the show) it is a go see. Wow $3.59 a gallon. I was glad that I left the country with a full take of gas and paid almost that amount. Even $3.59 sounds good after paying almost $6.00 a gallon for the past two months in Australia.

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

Saw MM! last night, and was delighted. Anthony Lane (New Yorker magazine) is one of my favorite critcs. While his review observations were not entirely unwarranted, I was vastly amused by how hard he tried not to like this movie - LOL... i mean, how do you critique cotton candy ?? As for me, I have a weakness for ABBA to begin with (via Andy Bell & Erasure)... doubtless, I have terrible taste - and I don't care. It's about being entertained.
What got me about the film was how well it was directed, shot, edited, and paced. Mr. Lane had citicized the film for its theatrical (as opposed to filmic) tendencirs. I disagree. I especially liked the way the film combined theatrical technques with cinema craft. But analysis aside, it was just plain fun to watch! My one regret was that I caught the late show, with an audience of about 6 people ... the film should be seem with a sizeable audience, especially for the final encore.

[bearnight.livejournal.com]

Ditto.

I was concerned I wouldn't like Meryl Streep, instead I ended up really disliking Pierce.

Meryl's presentation of The Winner Takes It All was perfect. It was very different from any that I've seen before and fit the movie perfectly. I love when someone sings a song so that you stop and really listen to the words and you say to yourself, "Oh, that's what the song is about."

I also agree that they could have found someone much sexier to play Skye - they must have run out of money.

I also found Baranski's beach number off and unsettling.

There also seemed to be times that the photography was off - like the background was a bluescreen and not done right.

There are a lot of wonderful aspects of the musical version that they should have worked harder to pull into the movie.

[bear-left.livejournal.com]

I did love Colin Firth, even if I didn't see that plot turn coming (not having seen the stage musical or known the plot at all beforehand).

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

While I consider both your comments and those of designerotter to be insightful and valuable from a theatrical and technical standpoint, this is not a movie that is high on my Must See list, specifically because I've never been an ABBA fan, although Benny is kinda cute.

I rank ABBA with Carpenters: Technically exellent, well performed, but utterly generic. I've never understood the cult status that ABBA has acheived, and certainly don't understand why anyone would structure a musical or a movie around their songs.

I guess I'm simply not part of "Mama Mia"'s target audience.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

"Fun" is exactly the best adjective to describe the movie!

Re: Glad that you made these comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

My impression of the stage musical was tainted by a bad sound system, no orchestra (the tour that made it to Seattle had four pieces with the conductor playing keyboards and a track tape for the chorus singers) and two inadequate performances by the leading ladies. The film worked much better for me in regard to these quibbles.

Streep always amazes me .. She can give depth to anything thrown her way. I also had a feeling that this role was very close to who she is in reality. Enjoy!

Schmaltz ... and I love it!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The audience, of which we were a part, applauded at the end of the movie, delighted with the campy credits:) I agree with your assessment and I am completely happy that it was theatrical, especially with the Greek chorus. Such silliness ... We'll have to watch it sometime with a group of people ready to laugh and sing with the score:)

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I think all of your points are valid, especially how Streep sang "The Winner Takes It All"... It made me a bit nostalgic though .. She was the first choice to play Eva Peron in the film musical of "Evita". Instead, it got kicked around until Madonna (though perfect to look at) murdered the vocals.

I'm glad that someone agreed with me about the beach number. There was unnecessary vulgarity to the staging and I didn't find anything appealing about the young bartender. Now, the guy who Colin Firth's character had his eye on .. Yowsa! :)

I enjoyed it for what it was ... a breath of fresh air, a break from all of the action adventure movies based on comic book characters.

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I had forgotten that plot twist too .. I saw the stage musical, but had blanked that part out because I hated the whole show so much. SO, it was a surprise when I enjoyed the film a lot. My tastes must be changing .. In the past, I would have found Pierce Brosnan the most attractive; in this case, it was Colin Firth hands down .. or is that face down with his face in a pillow .. Hehehe ...

Hugs, my friend!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Trust me .. I'm not either. I think their music has a sameness to it .. song after song with the same beat .. though there were a couple of standouts in the stage show and the film. These guys wrote "Chess", so I know they can write for theatre.

I've never understood the cult status that ABBA has acheived, and certainly don't understand why anyone would structure a musical or a movie around their songs.

Ditto! It is contrived, but within the forced premise, there's a lot of fun to be had. Plus, there simply isn't much out there to view this summer .. I enjoyed "Wall-E" and "Kit Kittredge", but disliked "Hellboy II".

Like I said, I took off my critic's hat and had a good time at "Mama Mia".

HUGS!

Re: Schmaltz ... and I love it!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

...OMG - can you just imagine ?!! one caution though: the only times in my life where I've been reprimanded in a public place has been in the company of a bunch of rowdy theatre folk ... as individuals we're demure and well-behaved, but put us all together and it's pure havoc [delicious, ain't it ?! *grin*]
Hugs!

[macduff131.livejournal.com]

i would marry Colin Firth in a heartbeat.

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

I was fine with the beach number - besides, I was too busy tracking all the half-naked male flesh. A moment on the dock that made me bust out laughing was the reference to Swan Lake, Act II, in the choreography (about 2 seconds on screen - just perfect).
As to Mr. Firth's young Greek guy: I spotted him in an early scene - and drooled every time he appeared.

The idea of a "Greek chorus" - literally, composed of local island Greeks - was rather brilliant I thought. I got a kick out of all those people hurling themselves into the musical numbers with such abandon and gusto.

I agree with your point: a pleasant respite from comic-book land.

I plan on seeing it this week.

[rockey1.livejournal.com]

Hope that your week goes well

Re: I plan on seeing it this week.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm hoping so too. I haven't had a good week in the 6 weeks I've been in the new facility. I'm due one:) Enjoy settling back into your home!

Re: Schmaltz ... and I love it!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed! I think we're still capable of rabble-rousing and should go for it!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I think that was the most fun element of the piece! When they did a final tableau as Greek Gods .. I just howled! I also loved the scene where all of the women dropped everything and ended up in the water. Didn't it just make you want to be a friend of Streep, Walters and Baranski? I have a feeling they had a blast making the film.

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You can't have him! You've already got a handsome man who adores you, Greedy! LOL!

Big HUGS!

[bearbrat.livejournal.com]

I've seen it thrice so far... I catch myself singing and humming ABBA tunes all the time. And I'd never classify myself as a fan of theirs. But the show and film to me are just big ol' silly funfests. I can't wait for the DVD... Or for the show to return... Or for sing along screenings of the film... Or all of the above...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I knew you'd enjoy it! :) A big ole silly funfest is exactly what it was! I think I would enjoy playing the role of Harry in the stage musical.

HUGS!

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

I agree with your Mama Mia! sentiments. As for gas... we're paying about $4.329 a gallon here.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

OY! Our price has dropped drastically with the conventions about to start. When I was in Seattle, I had my huge truck and I thought gas was too expensive at $2.50/gallon:) That was 2004.

Take care!.

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

In 1993 when I arrived in Seattle (Capitol Hill) from Houston it was a shocker. When I left Houston I was paying 99.9¢/gallon for regular unleaded. The same grade of gas in Seattle was $1.369. I haven't had a personal vehicle now for going on 7 years. Here in the city I only miss it for grocery shopping (a little more convenient) and also going to Canada it's much easier to cross the border with a vehicle. It's a gen you whine PITA on the bus. This past weekend I went up to YVR for BC Pride. Going up on the bus was pretty painless and we slipped through the "truck crossing" in about 20 minutes. Coming back we weren't so lucky and waited about an hour to come back into the US.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Did you used to attend Bearaoke at Guppies in West Seattle? Jonathan is a friend of mine and I used to go ... I think we've actually met .. or at least would recognize each other in person.

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

Why jes! And I followed him to his "new" gigs at the Fluff.. er the Cuff. I was just there last night and did a couple numbers from my KMK discs.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I used to come sing on my Tuesdays off while I was doing shows at The Village in Issaquah. I used to sing "This is the Moment" with Jonathan and "You Raise Me Up". I moved away in 2004, though I was in Seattle in 2006 briefly for a show at the 5th Avenue.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It was sweet:) Totally not perfect, but lots of fun.

HUGS!