Mamma Mia!

Phyllida Lloyd (2008)

104min

PG Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Stella Papamichael

Not since the invention of fondue has 1970s cheese been this hot. This shiny, happy romantic comedy set to Abba's greatest hits has already proved a winning formula on stage and with this big-screen adaptation it's been taken up another notch. Meryl Streep sings her heart out here as ageing rock chick-turned-hotel owner Donna, whose daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is about to get married on the Greek island where they live. But the wedding is thrown into chaos when three of Donna's ex-lovers (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård) turn up. Each has a case for being Sophie's father, but only one stakes a claim on Donna's heart. It's a feather-light story patched together with little elegance or élan, but that's entirely fitting when the film is populated with big, brash disco numbers like Dancing Queen and Voulez-Vouz. The fun is in watching usually straight actors like Streep, Brosnan and company throwing caution to the wind and making up for weak vocals with infectious gusto.

Summary

A former member of a singing trio, now running a hotel on a Greek island, is reunited with her old bandmates for her daughter's wedding - but is surprised when three of her old flames also show up unexpectedly. The three men have been invited by the bride, who wants to find out which one of them is her father. Musical comedy, with a soundtrack of Abba songs, starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Julie Walters, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard and Amanda Seyfried.

Cast & Crew

Donna Meryl Streep

Harry Bright Colin Firth

Sam Carmichael Pierce Brosnan

Sophie Amanda Seyfried

Bill Stellan Skarsgård

Rosie Julie Walters

Tanya Christine Baranski

Sky Dominic Cooper

Father Alex Niall Buggy

Piano player on boat Benny Andersson

Director Phyllida Lloyd