MAMA MIA

I finally rented the “hit movie” based on the “smash Broadway musical” inspired by the phenomenal 70’s band ABBA. I guess you could say my expectations were a little high…and they did not get met. I was bored through out the film.
To give you a quick background on myself; I am a succer for musical theatre. I lived in New York City for six years. Saw a musical every chance I got. I enjoy most movie adaptations as well. I own DVD’s of “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and several others. I like if not love musical theatre. So for me to say I was bored says a lot!
I’ve also been caught saying, often, “I didn’t like it, but I can understand why it was a hit.” I do NOT understand why MM is a hit. First off, I didn’t grow up in the 70’s. Therefore, I am not familiar with ABBA except for the handful of songs that are sung every night at a karaoke bar. Secondly, if you are going to make a movie musical it is important to cast actors who can sing. (Or at least replace their singing voice as they did in the golden era of MGM.) Pierce Brosnan, great actor, can’t sing to save his career. I guess the producers were shooting for handsome and forgot about all the other necessary attributes. Meryl Streep…ditto. And I’m still trying to figure out if they dressed her down or if Meryl Streep is really that “homey” looking.

Thirdly, I didn’t care for the story. It is an abomination towards the sanctity of marriage and family isn’t as important as who you are with at that moment. (This is what the world thinks?!) SPOILER: The happy ending is “I love you so much….so let’s NOT get married!” Huh, did I miss something? Happily ever after no longer ends with a life-long commitment. And to top it off, one of the characters comes “out of the closet” but it comes way out from left field. Why is it that the token gay guy is now a quota in every Hollywood film?

Finally, if you grew up on the music of ABBA and enjoy listening to those at a karaoke bar put their personal touch on “Dancing Queen” then perhaps you will enjoy this film. But don’t expect a fiber of moral resolution. It’s not there.

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