Mamma Mia: A Movie to Laugh At (Not With)
This is a musical comedy with terrible jokes that is nevertheless hilarious.
The big-screen version of the ABBA musical Mamma Mia must be seen to be disbelieved.
The script, which is about a young bride-to-be on a Greek island who invites three men (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgaard) who might be her father to the nuptials without telling her mother (Meryl Streep), is quick to clarify what is on its mind. Firth and Brosnan are stranded while waiting for a, er, ferry. Colin turns to Pierce to say, “Bugger!” but instead of replying, “No, thank you,” Pierce says, “My sentiments exactly.” Firth, upping the ante, says, “Bollocks!” Brosnan: “My sentiments exactly.” This kind of saucy flirtation hasn’t been seen at the movies since C-3PO first met R2-D2.
The ABBA songs of Mamma Mia are perhaps not the favored anthems of your local rugby squad or Navy SEAL unit to begin with; few are the countries that have been invaded while Voulez-Vous blasts out of the Hummvee, though if ever we have cause to invade Belgium, Waterloo would seem the obvious choice. Nevertheless, the realization of the songs is beyond camp. This is a musical comedy with terrible jokes (“I grew up.” “Then grow back down again”) that is nevertheless hilarious.
Who will ever forget the sight of Streep on a sun-splashed rooftop, writhing suggestively (!) in her overalls, to the title song? Or Streep, again, moving blockily to accompany herself on the goodbye ballad The Winner Takes It All, spinning around on a rock and finally balling up her shawl and flouncing away in a huff of self-pity? When Brosnan, in his blinding white pants, attempts to burst “dramatically” into a doorway so he can croak out, S.O.S., I for one have seldom laughed harder. A laugh is a laugh, and to laugh at (not with) Mamma Mia is irresistible. Brosnan, who is supposed to be American but puts out about one-eighth of the effort necessary to nail the accent, will also be glimpsed loosely pumping his fist in the air while crying “Whoo-whoo-whoo!”
A scene in which the groom’s shirtless beach blanket buddies, who are throwing him a bachelor party, peel him away from his bride in order to force him to join their merry band as they goose-step along the dock, while wearing flippers, with maximal flapping of arms, suggests a re-enactment of the invasion of the Sudetenland conducted by the Village People during a weekend on Fire Island. (Stay through the closing credits for more. I am talking about Brosnan in a royal blue skin-tight chest-baring jumpsuit that Liberace would have described as a bit much.)
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Kyle Smith is a film critic for the the New York Post. His website is at www.kylesmithonline.com.
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38 Comments
1. dinosaur:Socialist family values, are you my father????
This might be funny in a movie but for many children it’s not.
And of course knowing me knowing thee Abba knows what this unfamily stuff is all about.
Jul 18, 2008 - 11:56 am 2. Review: “Mamma Mia” | KyleSmithOnline.com:[...] “Mamma Mia” is a revolutionary advance in gay cinema. My review is here. [...]
Jul 18, 2008 - 12:58 pm 3. Mary Jackson:I loved it. Piffle, but fun piffle.
Jul 18, 2008 - 1:27 pm 4. Alan Breck:How could Meryl Streep be considered sexy by anyone under eighty? I am well north of fifty and see nothing desirable about her. Sophia Loren is a different story. She must be over seventy but is still a beautiful woman. Some women are truly beautiful in mind and body and some aren’t.
It is sad to hear of Pierce Brosnan being in a clinker but we probably all have had lousy jobs at one time or another.
The premise of not knowing who one’s father is is quite believable. DNA studies show that between 5-10% of all children in the US do not have the fathers they (and the fathers) think they have. I know this personally.
I have a “son” who is approaching thirty who thinks he is mine and I am a terrible father for divorcing his mother. Neither me nor his mother has told him the facts. The tests prove it. I left when he was nineteen and had raised him. He wanted for me to pay for expensive private school and I simply didn’t have the money after shelling out over two thirds of my net income. His mother had the cash.
Jul 18, 2008 - 1:34 pm 5. fernando:Meryl Streep is an overrated actress.
Jul 18, 2008 - 2:56 pm 6. kishke:a re-enactment of the invasion of the Sudetenland conducted by the Village People during a weekend on Fire Island.
Ha!
Jul 18, 2008 - 3:34 pm 7. Roderick Reilly:I never, ever understood the appeal of Abba. I’m convinced that Australia lost its manhood because its citizens became huge Abba fans. Abba is Swedish, Swedes are — as a group — now nothing but degenerate “Eloi” waiting for the ground to open up and devour them. How they managed to milk this crap sufficiently to come up with a musical, and then a MOVIE of said musical is astonishing.
I came to the realization that Europeans are the true purveyors of bad taste these days, and even with all the garbage we produce, we come in a distant second.
Jul 18, 2008 - 4:37 pm 8. deguello:Fernando: your’e wrong,Meryl Streep is an overrated mutant!
Jul 18, 2008 - 6:27 pm 9. pch1013:Let’s see… WALL-E is vicious anti-capitalist propaganda, and Mamma Mia is a gay Nazi romp with ugly people in it.
I can’t wait to read your review of “The Dark Knight.” Maybe it’s a parable of our fight against Ahmadinejad!
Jul 18, 2008 - 7:32 pm 10. jvon:This sounds totally awesome. Or maybe “fabulous” is a better word.
I am secure enough in my sexuality to watch and enjoy it… but I’m not sure I’m ready to go into a movie theater by myself to do that. Maybe I’ll wait for video.
Jul 19, 2008 - 2:53 am 11. GayPatriot » The Gayest Hollywood Movie Weekend Ever?:[...] I just read these movie reviews of Mamma Mia! … The script, which is about a young bride-to-be on a Greek island who invites three men [...]
Jul 19, 2008 - 10:36 am 12. Dave II:Come ‘on, Kyle, admit it! You had a gay ol’ time watching it!
Of course, movies like this, who’s “camp” is a given, then proceed to “camp” it up even MORE…run the risk of becoming a parody of itself.
This seems to be the case here…though I can see where one might still enjoy the movie as it realizes the “inside jokes” are the only thing that makes the whole silly story with silly ABBA songs watchable.
Jul 19, 2008 - 12:05 pm 13. Peg C.:It sounds like a hoot when it comes to cable. (Not PPV or On Demand; I won’t pay for this.) I was a huge ABBA fan in the 80s, but I am a female and it was the 80s. They don’t wear well. I can’t for the life of me imagine why any men would want to see this unless they’re gay. This has to be for women of a certain age, and gay men (like Sex in the City, which I want nothing to do with).
The cast could have been way better.
Jul 19, 2008 - 1:15 pm 14. Noga:I read this withering review with astonishment. of the film. I wouldn’t give it a second’s consideration. Anyone who cannot respond to this silly gorgeous and exuberant movie in kind is just an old fuddy-duddy, a stick in the mud, a wet blanket, a refuser of festivities, a party pooper.
Venerable actors, trailing great careers and dramatic roles behind them have come together to create this romp. The humour is basic, bubbly and actually funny. I did not cringe even once. Not even at the sight of Stellan Skarsgård’s sturdy buns… Once you enter the spirit of this souffle, this tiramisu, if you cringe you forfeit your right to take even a bite of it…
Don’t walk. Run to see it. Once you have seen Meryl Streep gyrating suggestively to music and Pierce Brosnan singing, in his raspy James Bond voice “we are not too old for sex”, you will forgive finally yourself for any awkward slip of the tongue or stupid behaviour you ever indulged in.
Jul 20, 2008 - 7:03 pm 15. Noga:I read this withering review with astonishment. I wouldn’t give it a second’s consideration. Anyone who cannot respond to this silly gorgeous and exuberant movie in kind is just an old fuddy-duddy, a stick in the mud, a wet blanket, a refuser of festivities, a party pooper.
Venerable actors, trailing great careers and dramatic roles behind them have come together to create this romp. The humour is basic, bubbly and actually funny. I did not cringe even once. Not even at the sight of Stellan Skarsgård’s sturdy buns… Once you enter the spirit of this souffle, this tiramisu, if you cringe you forfeit your right to take even a bite of it…
Don’t walk. Run to see it. Once you have seen Meryl Streep gyrating suggestively to music and Pierce Brosnan singing, in his raspy James Bond voice “we are not too old for sex”, you will finally forgive yourself for any awkward slip of the tongue or stupid behaviour you ever indulged in.
Jul 20, 2008 - 7:05 pm 16. gus3:The plot is borrowed (swiped?) from “Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell.”
Jul 20, 2008 - 10:03 pm 17. Mamma Mia! « Murky Blog:[...] Pajamas Media says it is a show to be laughed at, not with. I agree with the sentiment – I was certainly laughing during the ’serious’ S.O.S. number – and I don’t think that’s a problem – as the review says ‘I for one have seldom laughed harder. A laugh is a laugh…’ (though the review does indulge is mild racism and homophobia by equating ‘British’ with ‘Gay’ on page 2) [...]
Jul 21, 2008 - 1:12 am 18. Patty:A wonderful, fun movie.
Shamlessly silly. It made me laugh and cry.
I don’t give a whit about the movie’s underlying social “values”…or lack of same.
This movie made me happy.
Jul 21, 2008 - 9:35 am 19. Sheila:Perfectly put Patty. I had the pleasure of going to the stage show about 5 years ago, and it was pure harmlees fun with a capital “F”. Everyone was singing and dancing in the theatre.
The only thing that would stop me from seeing the film is that I’m afraid the Hollywood treatment will ruin what was an excellent show. But I am hearing really good reports from friends who have seen both, so I may be tempted.
Come on people, lighten up a bit and have some fun!
Peg C – how can you say that Abba doesn’t wear well. We used to dance to it as kids in the 80s, they were big when I was in uni in the 90s, the stage show was huge, worldwide, in the early noughties (and still is), and now the film seems to be quite a success. To me that is pretty good staying power!
Jul 21, 2008 - 10:54 am 20. actor212:Kyle, seriously, how deep in the closet are you?
I mean, could you put anymore homophobia into this review or were you limited by the number of words you had to type?
Jul 21, 2008 - 12:25 pm 21. GM Roper:Saw the movie yesterday. I hate musicals generally, but this one was fun with a capital F.
Forget the deconstruction and comparisons… go see it just for the fun of doing it.
Jul 21, 2008 - 2:49 pm 22. ML:The movie was fun, but not even half as good as the stage show.
I agree with actor212 regarding Kyle (author’s) homophobia…what is up with that?
Jul 22, 2008 - 1:23 am 23. Sig Jansen:Those with any talent, write or compose. Those bereft of talent, criticize. Kyle isn’t gay, he’s just a wee bit flamboyant…tsk, tsk. I loved this movie, as I loved their music years ago. My daughter and wife and the grandchildren thought it was fabulous. Anyone who will put pen to paper to try and vilify a ‘musical’, has more than just a gender identity issue, they are just twisted old sods who are incapable of experiencing joy in their unfortunate, twisted little world.
Jul 22, 2008 - 6:02 am 24. Pope Linus:Don’t waste your money. The only film worth plunking down ten bucks for is The Dark Knight. If you don’t go to see it, just stay home and read a book. Or watch grass grow, or paint dry, or linoleum curl. Just don’t waste the cash on Mamma Mia.
Jul 22, 2008 - 9:03 am 25. Nan:Come on, it is a FUN MOVIE! A summer fling. Suspend all rational thought- sing along, giggle, smile and snap your fingers. ABBA songs are simple, sappy and too much fun. AND we know the words! How cool is that!? This movie is a great treat. Sure guys will HATE it. Who cares? I asked 3 husbands who were there- what did your wives do to get you to see the movie? answer: it is cheaper than a divorce. AND YOU know what?! Those men were singing and dancing all the way to the car- and kissing their wives! Imagine you are in Greece this summer. Go have some fun! It is like having an umbrella drink! Don’t get serious!
Jul 22, 2008 - 8:41 pm 26. average swede:Musical, ABBA, Brosnan, Skarsgard, Firth, Streep and a refreshing absens of the “hollywood flavor”.
Ofcourse any uptight blogger aware of the media would shop this to pieces
Really, all you have to do to enjoy this movie is to relax your tense a***s
I’m male, late 30’s, not gay, married and I wanted to see it. go figure
But then again, I’m secure in my male role, sexually, psyically, whateverally
agrees with actor212 & Nan; Go pour yorself an umbrella drink and get out of the closet Kyle!
Jul 23, 2008 - 12:30 pm 27. Richard of Oregon:I am neither female nor gay. There is nothing of interest in the movie for me. If it was a great musical, I would, like most everyone else, find myself in amongst the crowd. If someone considers themselves as part of the target audience, then go spend an enjoyable evening. If your not in the ingroup, find something else to fritter your time away on. My opinion. My wife liked it. Our 12 year old daughter thought it too adult for her. We thought a PG-13 rating would be passable for her. Wrong.
Jul 23, 2008 - 3:36 pm 28. babus:Just don’t waste the money on Mamma Mia.I was a big fan of ABBA.
Jul 24, 2008 - 4:33 pm 29. Jewels Solheim:Why not to be original, people!Walked out when Brosnan tried to sign – poor man – hard to make money this days……..
I decided to make it my mission when a very astute editor friend of mine said that Mama Mia! didn’t have great reviews – to set things straight! This musical has been beloved by millions and watched the world over for a decade. Did you know that?! It’s a very feminist story – a universal theme of what REALLY MATTERS IN THIS LIFE! I remember when I saw it in 99 in London I was weary because of ABBA. I ended up loving ABBA and loving the whole audience enthralled involvement with it – who could not – people cheered and cried. It really moved me. When I saw it in Westwood, LA with an audience of non-dancer yet smart critical minds – I was happy to note that all who came out were as moved in the movie version as I was – 9 years later – and those who did see the musical said that the movie was even better. So my point is – I think the reviewers of this should tread carefully on a subject that has such a huge cult worldwide audience. I think it stinks when reviewers steer people away from what is so obviously a good thing that so many millions have loved and loved! I know many theatre goers who cite MM as one of their all-time favs! The reason has to do with the ENERGY of the STORY — it is about LAUGHING at LIFE and FUN! This movie version was magical, and I am an intelligent smart woman. When Streep sang ‘The Winner Takes It All’ – I cried JUST like I did in the musical – and JUST like the educated women sitting next to me did! I sometimes wonder if ‘critics’ sit in movie in a critical, removed frame of mind? And I also think it’s totally unfair of critics to review a movie that you do not understand the success of the musical – WHY it speaks to so many…. Very disappointing. I would like to see reviewers for once hold back – if it’s not your genre’ – then leave it alone! It ruins it for those who are interested in ‘understanding’ the perspective of the piece of work… It’s a blast, and yet hits a truly deep human cord! My 7 year old is over the moon with it the way she is (and I was) with movies like Grease! Thanks for listening!
Jul 25, 2008 - 9:27 am 30. Eleni:Right on Jewels!! I agree with you 100%. My seven year old daughter LOVES this movie just like I loved the musical GREASE when I was around that same age!
Bravo to all the directors, producers and the cast. Pierce wasn’t that bad either; he was kind of reminiscent of Peter Gabriel here and there, but he should definitely stick to his day job.
I also love that the cast is a bit on “the older” side of the coin. And why not? They all did a great job in the film, far more interesting than the younger, prettier, actors.
My family lived in Greece for years and it is a perfect setting for such a whacky musical. Everything there was always a little broken, a little run down, and many mis-matched things thrown together (not unlike this story, the songs and the cast) that you think can never possibly work together but in the end they do and everyone is pleasantly surprised.
Live a little guys. Just go see it and allow yourself to have some cheesy fun. It’s the cheapest way I know of to spend a couple hours in Greece…
Jul 26, 2008 - 11:49 am 31. RedneckJD:Meryl Streep is better than sleeping pills for a good night’s sleep. Put on the “French Lt.’s (can’t spell the whole word)Woman”, or “Sophie’s Choice” and you’ll be asleep in two minutes after her first appearance. Too bad the Dingo didn’t eat her.
Jul 27, 2008 - 3:27 pm 32. Twisted_Colour:“Not gay. Just British.” I’ve forgotten so please remind me: what exactly is the difference?
Where to start? How about ummmm…. U.S. Special Forces make Gay Special Forces look “gay” whereas U.S. Special Forces make British Special Forces laugh…. a lot.
Jul 29, 2008 - 2:40 am 33. Sean:I like musicals well enough. I like ABBA and while I don’t personally like Streep, I concede she is a good actress. However, this was simply the worst movie I have ever seen, and I sat even through Shark Boy and Lava Girl.
The acting was almost as bad as the singing, and that’s saying something! The jokes were so totally predictible it was painful. Gee, a middle agged woman standing up while paddling a raft – I wonder what’s going to happen next? Splash – riotous laughter. The list goes on. I simply can not understand how this movie could be so popular. I have a feeling people say they love it because they think they are supposed to or they want to be left out but the truth is this movie is utter crap.
I finally walked out over half way through when I began to feel physically ill (not an exageration). It was litteraly unbearable. It was bad enough that I believe I would actually think less of anyone who claims to have enjoyed it.
Aug 2, 2008 - 1:48 pm 34. Frances:I LOVED THIS MOVIE! I SAW IT ONE DAY AND WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND SAW IT AGAIN!
Aug 7, 2008 - 6:37 pm 35. Frances:I LOVED this movie! I saw it yesterday and went back and saw it again today! SO WHAT if they couldn’t sing very well or if their acting wasn’t A+! I don’t give a damn! I hope they win every Academy Award in every category! This was a GREAT movie — they made me laugh (WITH them) and made me cry (WITH them) — and all of them were wonderful — including the extras! I am 60 years old, I have bought maybe 12 videos in my life and when this movie comes out on video, I’m buying it! Maybe TWO copies! LOL God bless the WHOLE cast! In this day and age when things all over the world are SO bad — this was a wonderful escape! (I loved the scenery too!) Meryl Streep, you are a good woman and a great actress, and I love you! LOL
Aug 7, 2008 - 6:42 pm 36. movie buff:this is one of the only plays i’ve ever seen, which ended up being great… it’s funny to think of ol’ Pierce taking a stab at singing, yeeesh
Aug 13, 2008 - 12:20 am 37. Zoe:I love this film.
Sep 24, 2008 - 9:44 am 38. Anonymous:I don’t think Meryl Streep is overrated to be honest.
I’m a huge fan of ABBA and have seen this film twice.. so far
Can’t wait til its out on DVD!
i love this film
Mar 31, 2009 - 9:42 am