Summer, Greece and love. This is probably the best way to express the basic meaning of a beloved musical in three words. The atmosphere of celebration, friendship and family unity adorns an already very bright picture. But from an excessive amount of paint in the palette of the work, there is a risk of confusion, oversaturation. So what is before us, a glamorous glossy cover, brightening the eye with its brightness, or warm summer fun for all ages?
In terms of directing and staging, something is definitely very easy. Lighting, scenery, and even the actions of the characters appear in a kind of airy and slightly playful form. Everything here is so animated that it creates the feeling of a theatrical play, where the actors specially wave their hands and expressively express their emotions, so that it was visible to every viewer in the hall. By the way, from the point of view of production, most musical episodes also look very theatrical, which, in turn, indicates the successful adaptation of the musical. During the dance-songs, the environment, extras and much more are involved. But to me, one of the main advantages of the tape in visual terms is Greece itself. Nature, the sun, the sea - what is it, if not the perfect summer cocktail? The only downside I can highlight is the lack of balance between different musical elements. The songs literally do not give the viewer a break, which ultimately leads to a situation where only a couple of replicas fit between two compositions. I do not see a problem to increase the timing and dilute some scenes, because in the end you begin to get tired of such a frantic pace.
I have already touched on the format of the acting game a little above, so I will concentrate on the sensations of the performance of the composition. Although acting out looks naive, it does not make him less cute. What is Baranski and Walters' duet worth? At the same time, the main star is still Meryl Streep, who incredibly accurately got used to the role of a strong but fragile single mother. There is also no dispute about the play of extras and other actors.
The story is very romantic, in a good sense. This is a bit of childish sincerity, and a pinch of tender hopes. Everyone knows about it, so it makes no sense to talk about it. The development of characters in the course of the tape is observed and the finale seems natural. The most important thing is that the story does not distract, but only complements the main component of the film - the musical.
Mama Mia! is an amazing summer adventure about love and family. Like all such adventures, it is fun, fast, almost imperceptible. But leaves warm, like the Greek sun, memories that will warm even in the most inclement weather!
Charming light musical "Mamma mia!" - this is the cure for melancholy, saving lonely and boring evenings. Uncomplicated plot will not be a strong load for a tired head, but at the same time will even interest the viewer. But, in my opinion, the story shown is not the most important thing in this picture. First of all, it is an unforgettable atmosphere. Summer, sea and sunshine – what else do you need to fully immerse yourself in pure visual enjoyment? When viewing, you feel extraordinary lightness and freedom, and this is not least the merit of the stunning Greek landscapes, allowing even the viewer to feel on their skin the warm sun and a light breeze mixed with drops of sea water. Separately, I want to note the amazing characters who charge with positivity and make you sing along and dance with them. And by the way, despite a very stellar cast, among the cast, undoubtedly stands out the incredible Meryl Streep, again appearing in a rather uncharacteristic image for her. However, even here her talent allows her to play the charming Donna, and at a later age is a “hot thing”, who completely owns the attention of both male and female half of the audience. Also, you can not ignore the most amazing soundtracks. It is rare to find a musical in the plot of which music is so well woven both in terms of lyrics and the related plot, and simply from the side of an insanely beautiful sound. The most memorable hits of the group “ABBA” fit perfectly into the narrative, and each character under these melodies is revealed in its own unique manner. In general, a real paradise for the ears. And to such music and sin not to dance, which, according to the classics of the genre, and do the characters for at least a third of the film. It is evident that the choreography is performed by professionals. Each movement looks organic and is performed by each hero in his style, bringing even more sense of festiveness and general fun to such a “motley”, but, in its own way, incendiary company. As a result, this is a picture that will definitely lift the mood and dispel all light sorrows. I especially like to review it on dreary rainy (or snowy) days, when I want to spend at least a day on a long-awaited vacation. The film will definitely immerse in this atmosphere of laid-back summer days, which, although it seems a little useless, but in essence are among the most enjoyable.
As soon as you see the name of the musical 'Mamma Mia!' the first and only reaction is the continuation of the chorus of the famous song of the ABBA group plays in your head. And immediately nostalgia for this music, the music of childhood.
As soon as I found out that the musical was out, I immediately started watching. It took a couple of years to get an opinion.
Music. So organic, so perfectly built and the songs are so performed by the actors themselves that all this is the main joy of watching. You might say that the authors themselves had a hand. I have been singing since childhood, so I appreciated how the actors coped with the songs - in their voices there is so much sincerity, so much feeling and understanding that familiar melodies started playing with new colors.
As for the filming itself, all feelings are saturated here. Light, paint, fabrics, sun, sea, even the wind can be felt on the skin. It's a great visual celebration.
Actors. Three friends - just a great lineup, so much humor and real friendship! In general, there is something to laugh at, the mood definitely increases. Men are very bright picked up, different types and personalities.
It seemed that Amanda Seifred is too emotional, impetuous and ecstatic in the role of Sophie, but for her immediacy and charming smile, you can forgive anything. Meryl Streep... She is an amazing woman, a decoration of any film. Even if absolutely everything is removed from this musical, it will be possible to watch only for her sake.
Plot. Everything is beautiful and interesting, there is no time to miss. Personally, for me, there are only two small moments that touched the life in the most fun sense. Let us leave alone hypocrisy, a matter of life, there are mistakes of youth with everyone. But the result of the relationship Sophie and Skye knocked out, did not expect such a denouement. And why is that with my beloved Colin Firth character? I felt like Frodo in Moria: 'Nooooooo!'
As a result, watch for lovers and non-lovers of the musical genre, enjoy and recharge with positive!
Many years ago I tried to watch a movie, but then it did not go to me. And in the wake of my exposure to musicals, I decided to try again.
The plot revolves around the girl Sophie, who all her life dreamed of finding out who her father was. She finds her mother’s diary describing her relationship with three men. The girl decides to invite them to meet and understand who her father is. This is where the story begins to spin. . .
Beautiful landscapes, sea and summer! Stunning music and no less chic cast. What do you need for a winter evening?
I really liked Sophie, her role was played by Amanda Seifred, how the girl’s eyes burned, just can not be described in words. Her eyes reflected delight and desire to find herself.
Meryl Streep, she played the part of Donna, to be honest, I don't like her very much, but it's silly to deny her talent. Especially the voice I noticed in Disney's fairy tale 'The further into the woods...'. It's a pleasure to listen to her.
I was surprised to hear songs from Pierce Brosnan and Dominic Cooper, and they also seem to sing well.
And all the songs were great, although it’s not surprising, because it’s ABBA.
In short, I liked the film in principle, I can not say that this is the best musical I have seen, but the film left a pleasant aftertaste.
7 out of 10
Every girl who grew up with her mother has a great desire to see her father at least once in her life, especially if you are married in two days. And Sophie, in the light of the moon, manages to send three letters of happiness. The genre of the musical in my practice came across infrequently, a strong impression on me at one time made the film “The Phantom of the Opera” two thousand fourth year with Emmy Rossam and Gerard Butler in the lead roles, this film pierced me through. I also remember the picture I watched from my first acquaintance, and now, ten years later, I made a second acquaintance to build bridges between the first and second films. Then I will share my impressions and thoughts on this.
The plot in the pared-down version was the beginning of this text. But if we talk a little more in detail, then we get the opportunity to observe the plot of the songs of the group ABBA, related to each other by a common narrative canvas, and here surprisingly well combined as hits that have not heard except lazy, and a little less well-known, but also cool compositions. From the first shots comes the understanding that the main corner here is put the musical part, integrated into the overall narrative. It's nice to see the interaction between Donna and her three exes. Everything is decided in the spirit of musicals and the dramatic part may not be the most extensive, but convincing. The motives of actions and the logic of narrative is clear to everyone. The story is good and deserves four stars.
Spectacularity is recreated here due to the high-quality visual series, competent distribution of the soundtrack in the narrative and camera work, which managed to show in the frame all the beauty of the Greek island; the sun and the sea, green meadows, and legends come to life before your eyes. While watching the film, you do not want to be bored, and it is just pleasant to plunge into this narrative so that it does not leave for a long time. The camera savors panoramic views of the sun, sea and white sand, thereby creating an aesthetic pleasure from the views and beauty of the locations.
Actor's play is a pleasure. In the foreground, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Judith Walters, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Stellan Skaarsgard, Pierce Brosnan often appear here. Each of these actors is trying to produce powerful organic, play and sing at the same time, the voices are different and it’s nice. I liked how the characters sing, and in general this film does not lend itself to criticism, because it is a film-relaxation, it is really to enjoy and the actors here do not try to portray high drama, but play as they feel, especially shrill performance of Meryl Streep song "Winner Takes Everything", as far as Agnetta knows when with Bjorn parted, and it was given very hard, wrote this strong song, still making goose bumps to the speed of light. Amanda Seifred, in addition to radiating charm, also sings like a nightingale, even Pierce Brosnan finds not only a charismatic appearance, but also a beautiful timbre of voice, with acceptable performing skills.
As for the originality, I think this criterion should be removed from the evaluation system, because everything that is usually said here is almost unfounded, and relies only on the IMHO of your humble servant, in the case of this film, it is worth saying that this is an adaptation of a musical that collected full halls for ten years, so you should not even insist on one hundred percent originality here, I will put a three out of five. Music and sound are always in their place here, I won’t say much, because enough has been said about it and its merits in this film, the sound of the whole film does not cause complaints, and therefore it makes no sense to stop there.
Verdictating. The film is able to give you two hours of summer in the cold season, inspire you to perform soulful songs of your favorite Swedish four. What will please: warm atmosphere, performing skills of actors, visual range, camera work, distribution of songs on the plot. What will repel is the simplicity of the conflict, the sweetish taste of molasses characteristic of musicals, but I watched the film and had fun from the heart, I want to believe that there are such places in this world, that old age is met with a smile. I will put nine points on the film, under the mood and lowered bar, the film can go. Good to you all!
I can’t count how many times I’ve seen this picture. I first met this musical on the day of its premiere 10! years ago and still revisit it. This is one of those rare moments when watching a movie over and over again is not boring. I decided to write a review only 10 years later on the occasion of the release of the second part (which is much inferior to the first, so I wanted to finally express an opinion).
Do not expect dramatic turn of events, strong dialogue and so on. Not all movies have to be like that. Mamma Mia is a film-mood, with superb and incredibly popular songs by the Swedish band ABBA, bright and beautiful landscapes, a magnificent cast and beautiful choreography.
The film carries a lot of positive, takes us to a paradise Greek island, where a pleasant atmosphere reigns. This is a really easy, summer musical that gives a good mood. The ease and ease of the plot allow songs and dances to come to the fore. That's what I'm proud to call a musical.
If you are reluctant to find fault, then not all actors have good vocal data. But, despite this, the film is not spoiled, and even vice versa, it gives charm to what is happening on the screen.
An incredibly attractive factor in the picture are the actors who get excited from working on this film. The work was very hard and painstaking. The whole team put a piece of soul (according to the video), and it feels like it.
The choreography, complementing the songs and the picture as a whole, is perfectly staged. It is suitable for all actors with different training and physical abilities.
The film is for the whole family to watch. It can be seen even on a gray, rainy day, and bright colors will once again flow into life, as well as a wonderful mood that charges you for the whole day.
I’ve watched, watched and will watch this movie a billion times, and I’ll recommend it to everyone I know. No one has ever commented on the film in a negative way.
“Switch off” the criticism, drop the principles of nagging and just enjoy those 108 minutes, giving yourself a good mood.
Misunderstanding, rejection and surprise. That’s what I felt when I watched this movie. It turned out that Mama MIA! left a very positive feeling when I was nine or ten years old. And after such a long time, the second part comes out, and I decide to reconsider the first one, suddenly I want to go to the continuation in the movie. And when I watch it, it dawns on me that this film, with great ratings and positive reviews from almost everyone I know, turns out to be... not as cool as I remembered it as a child.
The main leprosy of this film, exclusively in my opinion, is the plot, which in many places gives a bald spot and turns out to be very illogical, especially given the realities of life. For example, I was a little embarrassed by the fact that three former women, each of whom apparently went to the island because they still have feelings for her, live in the same yacht without any conflicts. And how did the main character find their addresses to send letters? It should be understood that this is a feature film and there is a place to be a flight of fantasy, but not the same.
It’s just as frustrating to have so many great actors who have never been implemented and used exclusively as furniture. Stelan Skarsgard, Colin Firth, Dominic Cooper. Even Pierce Brosnan was not shown in all its glory. Secondary characters seem cardboard and fake, and the heroine Amanda Seyfried is horribly annoying with its illogicality. As a result, there is absolutely no one to empathize with, because even Meryl Streep does not look as impressive as usual, because the picture itself does not allow this.
But there are advantages, too. Let the musical numbers are also irritable, they are made and staged well and interesting. In general, the main advantage of this film is its atmosphere of summer and happiness. It is easy to forget about the above disadvantages, especially if you are a fan of ABBA and musicals of this kind. “Mamma MIA!” is literally filled with bright colors and emotions, which to some extent absorb all the negative.
And yet, I still have an unpleasant residue after watching. I must say that this film is not a bad one. It just has flaws that make it annoying in many ways. I strongly recommend not to watch it, because many find it good, it is already a matter of your taste.
5 out of 10
1. Bright color palette. Everything is sunny, fun, carefree, contrasting. From the overall juiciness of the picture, the eyes are constantly burning with amazement. If this film could be compared to some fruit, then I would describe it as a mix of Sicilian orange, lemon, pineapple, kiwi and a good half of most exotic and similar fruit combinations. All this range of colors came out insanely bright, colorful and charming for the eyes of the contemplator tired of dullness.
2. Music. Most of the hits of the legendary band ABBA from Mommy Mia have been heard throughout my life. And I think it was a great integration of those songs in this film. Each of the compositions, in an absolutely incredible way, revealed all their passion that the characters put into any action.
3. The cast and great play. I just can’t imagine anyone other than the main actors could be invited to roles in this movie. All the images were beautiful and played 100%. The only thing that was a little weird and comical was watching Pierce Brosnan, one of the best 007 agents, in such an adventurous situation.
4. Simple and easy plot. It is such films that relax from the gray weekdays. A feeling of euphoria and joy in the soul. Constant celebration and fun. From the first second until the final scene. They only have fun, rejoice and celebrate, scoring on everything in the end and avoiding the answer to the main question of the film, throughout the timing. If it was a conscious move of the writers - it's just bravo!
There are two reasons why I would blame the film. The first is the ending. Why do you prefer one of the three? The rest of the characters are left with nothing, it's a little weird. My second reproach is not quite scripted, but rather philosophical. This movie -- it's too beautiful. Like an audio-visual drug. Such films raise expectations from life and love in general, and reality has a habit of uprooting all this beauty and leaving us alone with their expectations, leaving behind a bland and sometimes bitter taste.
Those who keep the film in “I will watch” must watch. I would advise you to do it armed with a bottle of good wine or quality sangria.
9 out of 10
A Broadway musical is subtle matter. Transferring a stage, purely theatrical work to the screen is not always possible. Especially if people saw the show and liked it.
That's what happened to Mamma Mia! It would seem that the film made all the mistakes of the film adaptation of Broadway work. Of the actors without autotune can sing one Meryl Streep, eyeliners for the performance of compositions look caricatured and ridiculous (unlike the theater), but the film, damn it, pleases.
It's all due to the atmosphere. The Greek city, with its ever-smiling inhabitants, gives a piece of summer even in the fiercest blizzard. The sun is all around, everyone is dancing and no longer angers out of place shrieking women or disgustingly singing heroes. Especially the male. Colin Firth is trying very hard, though. Pierce Brosnan is worse than Butler in The Phantom of the Opera.
Phyllida Lloyd had an even harder task than just filming a musical. We have absolutely no unique compositions here. Some ABBA hits that sounded from radios thousands of years ago. Did it work out here, something like reading the songs of The Beatles in my favorite “Across the Universe”?
Absolutely not. And the level of the bands is different, and the songs do not give a new meaning.
But the old guard lights up and rejoices. And the audience, too. What is a bad movie?
Mamma Mia! is a summer and pleasant musical with a simple story, pleasant, though not always smoothly singing actors. From ABBA took only hits, all these songs certainly heard somewhere. There is nothing superfluous in the selection of compositions, and the music scenes themselves look organic. You can't say that the picture is stuffed with them or overloaded. Everything works for the atmosphere of summer, not history. And that's great.
I will start with the fact that I did not plan to watch this picture at all, and why it turned out the opposite – just soon the second part comes out, which is both a continuation and a backstory at the same time, and, you will agree foolishly, go to the second part without looking at the first and not knowing how to say what the “salt” is. And I will tell you for sure – I will go to the second part for sure! And it's definitely out of the question. Now, about the first part, I liked it. Now, according to the good old tradition, we will analyze all its pros and cons and whether it is worth your attention.
So, pluses:
1. An interesting story - a young girl gets married, but does not know which of the three men - her real father, and invites them all to the wedding in order to figure out the place, and from here the story takes the most unexpected turn. Honestly, I have rarely seen such a seed anywhere in the cinema, so this topic is not worn out, which is very pleasing. And the main question tormenting the main character is very clear and close to me, so I sincerely imbued with this story.
2. The songs of the legendary group ABBA - not only that, and the picture itself - is a film adaptation of the musical of the same name, which has been successfully on the stage since 1999. I also confess to you that to my shame I learned that some of my favorite songs were performed by this talented Swedish band. I literally enjoyed every song, both sad and insanely fun. And the actors themselves tried not to spoil these legendary songs with their voices.
3. Good humor is amazing, but there is even a place for humor! He's here, I would say, "demonstrative" - and that's what's amusing. Humor is relaxed, and will rather cause a smile, but do not wait for “wild rust”.
4. The cheerful first part of the picture - it was she who hooked me the most, firstly - with her dynamism, and secondly - with her representation of the characters. Everything happens quickly, there are very few dialogues, mostly songs.
5. An extraordinary ending - I was expecting a slightly different ending than I saw - and that's good. I am happy when I (a person who has watched and reviewed many films and TV series) can be surprised.
6. Surprise after the final - I have no right to describe it, but take my word for it - you will be pleasantly surprised. It also has a humorous overtones.
Cons:
1. The second half of the picture is boring – if the first part was fun and dynamic, then the second part is a lot of dialogue and not a lot of songs. All the fun has evaporated somewhere, and only appears at the end. The picture is a bit slack here.
2. Some scenes — there are a couple of scenes that you want to look away from the monitor. They are certainly not critical, but, nevertheless, not dexterous.
A bit about the main characters:
1. Sophie, played by Amanda Seifred, is a young girl preparing to get married, but is tormented by the question of her father, whom she has never seen, and invites all three to deal with it. There is nothing more to say about it, because the types are quite typical. Amanda was not bad.
2. Donna, played by Meryl Streep, is Sophie’s strong and domineering mother, wishing her happiness. She has a secret that she would never want to give away, but that Sophie has discovered. Although she is a granite monument, she is just a lonely, weak woman who would like to lean on a firm male shoulder. Her indomitable character very much reminded me of one of my good friends, the similarity is as if the heroine Meryl was written off from her. It was very nice to see Meryl jumping and singing in her years!
3. Sam played by Pierce Brosnan, Harry played by Colin Firth and Bill played by Stellan Skarsgård are the likely fathers of Sophie, who have become real friends. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, but each is remembered. Good actors!
As a result, we have just a good, fun musical with songs of the legendary band ABBA, which will definitely lift your mood and fill your hearts with joy!
8 out of 10
It’s a bit funny to write about your impressions if the film is almost ten years old, but still. . .
At one time, my hands did not reach him, but I enjoyed going to the musical of the same name. And recently, on a long journey, flipped through the proposed films and chose it, without waiting for a trick.
I will immediately say that I consider actors fragile people and avoid criticizing, because I am not an expert, but an ordinary amateur. Here I am clearly sorry that none of the characters with my review will not read.
Pretty soon after I started watching, I just closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on the great music. Amanda Seyfried’s monotonous, pleading, drilling look simply depressed me. But the film is focused more on showing the age actors, they are all there one better than the other, the youth pushed and fair. Although you could only notice that they are all in good physical shape, nothing else.
Without exaggeration, the great Meryl Streep can not play badly, well, not a problem, she does not play at all. Just running around the stage with a few snags. There are films in which you follow her characters without stopping, here is clearly another case.
I understand that this is not a film with a full-fledged plot, but a musical in which musical themes must be connected. I guess. Why is it so uninteresting to do this?
The male characters are very, very good, we can say, they tried to please all tastes. But the hero of Pierce Brosnan is usually beautiful, the hero of Colin Firth is habitually charming, and the megacharismatic Stellan Scasgaard manages to sit out at all without showing himself.
Girlfriends of the main character left a better impression, they turned out not so cardboard, especially Christine Baranski - she is just fire and the young partner who plays along with her, Philip Michael, is also remembered. Unlike Skye, who is Dominic Cooper by the way.
In the film managed to fail even the scene under Dancing Queen, somehow, sluggishly turned out and unwittingly recalled in opposition to the clip The Offspring, bright and drive.
I can only add to the pluses the live performance of musical numbers by the main characters, Brosnan sounded especially touching and the unexpected appearance of two legendary band members at the end.
And in general, neither music nor seascapes save the picture.
Depressing and mediocre.
The beautiful and wonderful film Mamma Mia! is on my list of the best movies. I recommend it to anyone who wants to laugh and easily spend a summer evening.
This comedy is about a young girl named Sophia who gets married. But here's the problem: she doesn't know who her father is. How can a wedding take place if there is no other parent? To find her father, Sofia secretly reads her mother’s diary and learns that there are three candidates for the role of the father. And all of them Sofia sends an invitation to the celebration. What a surprise it was when all three men appeared on the doorstep! Sophia has to find out who her real father is. But the main thing is to keep it a secret from my mother, who still finds out about it.
The plot is simple and uncomplicated, but you do not expect more from it. Famous songs of the group ABBA, which probably everyone hears, perfectly fit into this work.
Separately, I want to note the wonderful game of Amanda Seifred, who played the role of Sofia, the inimitable Meryl Streep in the role of Donna, as well as Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and others.
This film can be attributed to films, after watching which you want to live. "Mamma Mia!" deserves the highest rating.
10 out of 10
Wonderful, just a wonderful musical. Such a warm, sunny atmosphere, in the creation of which not a small role, of course, played the stunning views of Greece, a lot of chic music and dancing.
It’s so great that I don’t even want to write the story. But we have several storylines at once: the relationship of a man and a woman, mother and daughter, daughter and father. Each role was played absolutely accurately and deeply.
Very strong cast. Most of all, I want to highlight Meryl Streep - how much energy, daring! And Pierce Brosnan, well, he was very convincing.
I also liked my mother’s friends (Maryl Streep) – such old peppers, there is still gunpowder in the powder boxes. Against their background, the daughter’s girlfriends (Amanda Seifred) were absolutely lost, although they almost did not have screen time.
A big plus Meryl and Amanda for minimal makeup in many scenes.
10 out of 10
From the light genre of cinema, which is a musical, it is quite natural to expect entertainment, celebration, enjoyment of beautiful music, dances. The cheerful, lyrical songs of the band ABBA, on which this film is built, predispose to this genre. Simple, but beautiful melodies, the lyrics of the quartet easily fall on the heart, touch the soul with their sincerity and expressiveness. The creators of the musical collected all the hits of the famous group and combined them with one simple plot.
Young Sophie is getting married. But she doesn't know who her father is. Who will lead her down the aisle? I don’t know who I am because I don’t have a father, she tells her fiancé. The girl accidentally finds the diary of her mother, which she kept in her youth. It follows that her father could be either Sam Carmichael, Bill Andersson, or Harry Bright. Without hesitation, she sends them invitations to her wedding. The musical begins and ends with the song "I Have a Dream". It says, “If you see a miracle in a fairy tale, take the future with you, even if you fail.” Director Phyllida Lloyd and screenwriter Katherine Johnson most likely expected to present a simple but beautiful melodramatic fairy tale under the motto "We are the creators of our own destiny." It’s as profound as the immortal music of the Swedish band.
But the music is at least incorrect. The technique of vocal performance at a frankly low level. Amanda Seyfred (Sophie) sings more or less concisely. At first, Meryl Streep (Donna) delights, but she eventually screws up, doesn't pull the melody in one song. The way Pierce Brosnan (Sam) sings is best kept quiet. It seems that actors and actresses do not sing, but sing songs at some party. Back-up vocalists at least somehow save the situation. Also beautiful, well-thought-out choreographic productions (dances extras) a little distract from this song ugliness. It is unclear what purpose the filmmakers pursued. How simple are the characters of the film? Parody Abba? Vocal hacking is permissible in an ordinary film, but not in a musical, where music, vocals, by definition, play a very important role.
The characters of the musical in most cases do not cause any sympathy. Sophie runs back and forth with her eyes bulging, hysterical like a moody princess. Her mother's girlfriends, Donna, are deliberately vulgar. Their looseness looks ridiculous against the background of their age and, to put it mildly, lack of attractiveness. Only Donna and Sam are impressed. They're natural, they don't curve like some other characters, they really show their character. Also striking is the absence of positive and negative heroes, obvious conflicts. All in their own way are good, kind and toothless to shame.
The script and director's move raises many questions. The beginning of the film is built clearly and meaningfully, then everything begins to slide into a shed. Actors and actresses spontaneously, without any introduction sing and dance, then abruptly finish their "concert numbers". Sometimes the content of the songs doesn’t fit the context. In order to accommodate more hits in the musical, completely unnecessary scenes are added, for example, the scene of molesting one young man to an elderly, fit for him in his mother, a lady. In the middle of the movie, Donna says, “What a mess!” (What a mess!) The apogee of chaos was the final part of the film, which like fireworks shoots several finals, stunning the viewer with illogical surprises. That's what happens in life. This is the celebration of love!
These shortcomings of the musical are based on inadequate casting, unfinished script. It was possible to pick up for the main roles not so famous actors and actresses, but singing artists and artists with an impressive appearance. There's celebration, melodramatism. But there is no fairy tale, a real distraction from reality, it is replaced by chaos and mess, savoring intimate details of love relationships. The creators of the musical did not show the real “miracle of a fairy tale”, but presented a rather unsuccessful production on the cinema screen. In their understanding, simplicity is vulgarity, lack of taste. Lyrical texts of the legendary four still touch the soul, but the quality of their presentation simply repels. From a clear failure in artistic terms still save the dynamism of the action, beautiful views of nature, a decent dancer, bright costumes. What a mess! This is just Mamma Mia... by Phyllida Lloyd and Catherine Johnson.
Among the diversity of the cinema world, where some paintings can be characterized as symbols or pools, others - discoveries and revelations, there are films ... slippers, fluffy and comfortable. “Mamma Mia!” refers to such a slippery-cozy, predictable and positive movie. The scene is the idyllic island of Skopelos, renamed in the film in Kalokari, the greenest island of Greece with golden beaches, picturesque coves and quiet grottoes, surrounded by the turquoise surface of the Aegean Sea and protected from the cold winds of the mainland by emerald mountains. In this paradise, 20-year-old Sophie lives with her mother, Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep), the owner of a picturesque but decayed small hotel. Donna’s youth fell on the days of hippies, distinguished by freedom of morals and love, and she never mentioned the name of Sophie’s father, raising a daughter herself. In Donna's old diary, the girl found references to three men close to her mother and, secretly from her, sent each an invitation to a wedding, in the hope that one of them was her father. Letters sent “to the village, grandfather”, incomprehensibly found the addressees, and three candidates for fathers come to Kalokari from the USA, England and Sweden to the grand surprise of the unsuspecting Donna.
A similar plot with variations roams from one romantic comedy to another, however, Mamma Mia! hides a few surprises. It is not just a comedy, but a film adaptation of the eponymous jukebox musical, based on popular and ageless songs of the famous Swedish pop group ABBA, whose Waterloo is still illuminated by the victorious sun of Austerlitz. The plot in such a musical is like a rope for drying clothes, on which closely hung songs merrily rinsed on the breeze of an uncomplicated story. The greatest interest "Mamma Mia!" will cause lovers of musicals and fans of ABBA, but the film authors invite everyone to go to the musical Greek film holidays, during which famous movie stars and young participants of the extras / Greek choir, light-footed nymphs-settlers and their tanned muscular companions-settlers, have fun from the heart, fool around, sing and dance to the music of ABBA, receiving from this pleasure, so infectious that it is transmitted from the screen and the audience. At least during the first hour.
And then there were inconceivable sounds: either the roar of a donkey, or the creak of an ungreased cart, or the whimper of a beaten dog. This is Pierce Brosnan, aka Bond. James Bond on a well-deserved rest made a disastrous attempt to sing one of the best songs of ABBA, SOS (Save Our Souls), but the ears of the audience had to be saved. So-called "singing" Brosnan suggests the need for reasonable compromises in the creative process. Phyllida Lloyd, the director of the film that became her film debut, staged the original musical Mamma Mia! in 1999 at the West End Theatre in London. An important component of the success of her production, which is still going on in Europe and America, was the successful choice for the main roles of professional singers with acting abilities. Working on the film adaptation of the musical, Lloyd was faced with a choice - whether to follow the proven path and offer roles in an expensive film production to singers little known to the general public, or to attract viewers with the participation of famous and beloved film actors, even if their voices are far from ideal.
Lloyd took the second path and the results were mixed. Some of the actors, especially the female half led by Meryl Streep, showed quite pleasant, if not professionally staged singing voices. It is recommended to sing only in the shower when no one hears them. This is especially true of Brosnan, whose singing required dubbing. By his own admission, he had never been interested in musicals or even heard of Mamma Mia! until he got a call from his agent and proposed in the four words Mamma Mia! Meryl Streep. To which Brosnan, without thinking for a second, replied with five words: "Mamma Mia!?!" Meryl Streep?! YES!! And who will blame him? Such an offer can not be refused, because his dream came true to become the screen partner of one of the best actresses of our time, for which, it seems, there is no impossible in the cinema. Who she hasn't played in years. Tragic mother, 20th century Nioba. The wife of a farmer, an Italian from the outback of Iowa, where fate threw her and where she was swept by true, deep, but belated love. Devil Haute couture and strict pious nun. The Wicked Witch of a Fairy Tale and the Iron Lady, Prime Minister of Great Britain Streep boldly challenges complex and contradictory roles.
The choice of her for the role of the mother of the main character in an easy and stupid comedy, where she had to sing, dance, jump from the roof and for almost the entire film walk around in a baggy jeans jumpsuit and disparate sneakers, at first, seemed strange, but Streep fearlessly and with pleasure entered the territory of the musical and, reincarnating without a trace in Donna, not just sang in the finale of the climactic song ABBA “The Winner It All Takes”, but became the winner. To such an extent that a wild thought comes to mind. What if the authors of Mamma Mia! asked Meryl Streep to play all six leading roles: Donna, her friends, with whom she once sang in the rock band Donna and the Dynamo Machines, and three men from her past. If Eddie Murphy could turn into a dozen completely different people, then, no doubt, Meryl Streep with her talent could play all the heroes and heroines and sing their songs temperamentally and cheerfully, and Mamma Mia! would turn into her benefit. But the film turned out to be sunny and smiling, because serious actors were not afraid to constantly expose themselves to ridicule, and in the end, fearlessly demonstrated the incredibly extravagant stage costumes of ABBA, complemented by lacquered tight boots stockings of the 1970s on such monstrous platforms-hoofs that even in slippers it is painful to look at them. Stupid mess, funny nonsense and comic bewilderment were safely resolved by the disclosure of the secrets of the past. The old feelings re-flame and eventually everyone got what they needed, even if it wasn’t what they wanted at the beginning of the film.
Bright, colorful, musical film, but (!) - with one big fat minus - in the form of the performer of the role of Sophie. Amanda may be a good actress, but her naively stupid look spoiled the whole impression of the picture. It was a good thing that her presence on the screen was not very extensive, so I sighed with relief every time she disappeared from the frame. And she didn’t play well, the only scene standing with her is when her mother, played by Meryl Streep, holds her grown daughter in her lap, and that’s because Amanda has no text here.
Therefore, it turned out that the whole film pulled out the adult bison of cinema, it was especially interesting to look at Brosnan, who managed not to become a singing James Bond, but to be just suffering from unrequited love man a little over fifty. Not pumped as a couple of great girlfriends Donna, performed by Christine and Julie, and the duo Colin and Stellan, who played the role of longtime lovers of the hostess of the hotel.
It also did not pass unnoticed and the appearance in microscopic episodes and the male component of the original ABBA - Benny and Björn, but this is only for real and sharp fans of the Swedish quartet.
7 out of 10
Slashed points for the unsuccessful selection of the performer of the role of Sophie.
Honestly, I like musicals, as under the onslaught of feelings, actors begin to sing, surprising with their beautiful (and sometimes not) vocal abilities.
“Mamma MIA!” has two main components – it’s the cast and covered songs of ABBA, which, as if by the laws of film distribution, must bribe the audience.
So I was bribed... Meryl Streep, who with her list of awards and nominations can make even the coolest critics quiet down, this time decided to surprise and even... shock me personally. Depicting all life on the screens intelligence and aristocracy Streep in this film musical is reincarnated in a kind of mother-sinner of easy behavior, who jumps and jumps like a 16-year-old girl, depicting former youth. Perhaps only an actress like Meryl is allowed such madness in the movies.
As for the male part, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stelan Skarsgard are simple and understandable. Although the first, to put it mildly, "astonishes" with his singing.
The idea of the film reminds me of the famous French comedy with Gerard Depardieu and Pierre Rechard. The same stormy female youth, as a result of which, an adult child tries to figure out the question “Who is my dad?” To this end, the main character Sophie, on the eve of her wedding, in the absence of her father, decides to invite three former lovers of her illegible mother Donna to the celebration. “It is the father who should lead to the altar!” said the girl.
All actions in the film are supported by the songs of the famous group ABBA.
Overall, the film did not meet my expectations. Singing and dancing Meryl Streep did not bribe, as well as the covered hits of ABBA, which were so carelessly performed by all the characters of this film.
I don't like musicals. I don’t like them, they even annoy me. It's spontaneous singing with overplaying in emotions, I'm tired. But the musical Mamma MIA! just fascinated me! I didn't expect it. I only started watching it because Meryl Streep is one of my favorite actresses. She's incomparable. A beautiful actress, a very beautiful woman and, as it turned out, also a great singer. And if you consider the fact that her age, at the time of filming this film, approached sixty, it is generally amazing in what excellent form she is. I admire this actress!
The film shows such a cozy place where all incendiary actions unfold. Everything is so beautiful, bright, colorful. That you want to live in this rainbow fairy tale, where everyone is so kind, responsive and sings. Watching the film involuntarily thinking: to live in the rhythm of music, what could be more beautiful? And all this sunny - magical picture laid well on the songs of the band "ABBA". The puzzle was perfect. Besides, comedy is funny.
The film energizes and sets the mood. I want to break off and go to dance with the heroes of the film, so famously and effortlessly they succeed. And it is very good that our translators did not translate the meaning of the songs, but let them hear the authentic singing of the actors.
Of course, romantically naive notes slip into the plot, but the film is not serious, and if you take them as curiously, then everything is quite cute.
Julie Walters absolutely surprised me with her funny eccentricity. A great comedian.
After the film, the soul is easy, light and fun.
And now I want the same crazy, stemming and funny friends as Donna!
8 out of 10
Waltzes, twists, lambads ... fashion changes ... but my heart beats only in the rhythm of disco!
In the West, in Europe, in the North American United States, there are very few beautiful women. With men, everything is fine – for every taste, Apollos and Achilles meet regularly, even on stage, even in the subway, but several centuries of the Inquisition divided into infinity potential witches with sorcery eyes and flowing curls. The case is partly corrected by the introduction of Slavic, Brazilian, Mexican data into the gene pool, but the neglected question before recovery is like walking from San Francisco to Waterloo. Cinema at first solved the issue point-by-point - Michel Messier, Audrey Hepburn, Bridget Bardot can always be mined in a thousandth of acting ore. But now they have found a much simpler way out - from the young age of the viewer, Western cinema heartfeltly convinces that the beauties are Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cameron Diaz, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep and others. Repeat to a man a million times that he is a pig, after all, in reality he snorts, proved-proven.
Meryl Streep became the main star of the musical “Mamma Mia”, shot on the hits of the most famous disco band ABBA. If you reconcile with the beauty of sixty-year-old charmers (in the company of the mother of the young bride were sent fry-like Julie Walters and Christine Baransky), then, in the rest, you can write about the work of Phyllida Lloyd in purely enthusiastic tones, it is enough to keep in mind the work of this genre, like “Old songs about the main thing”, not to mention, God, about the creations with Baskov or Kirkorov at the head.
The basis of the film is the famous creations of the Swedish four, which in themselves are a guarantee of success, the main thing is not to overturn them with any dubious moves. Since it is possible to link the plot content of songs only with white severe threads, the main emphasis was prudently made on the mood, the general drive of the picture. Perhaps it was a little bacchanalia, but still the summer, the Greek island, the upcoming wedding, the sun music contributed. And the decision to approach the people with unpolished singing and choreography was correct.
Switching to personalities, the biggest plush without question will give Meryl Streep. Forced the damn matron of Hollywood to distract from her age and status with her looseness and recklessness. And the singing was at the level, which was especially expressed in the duet with Pierce Brosnan, where the lover of Omega watches and the number 007 was head-to-head broken vocally and scenographically. In general, it is worth noting that the men in the musical were significantly restrained by the director, not giving them much space for expression. Both the beach macho and the gymnastic groom ended up being more memorable characters than the heroes of the venerable Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard. And poor Pierce gave a reason to squash the distributors of Golden Raspberry. And the passage of guys with flippers clearly snatched from the memory bins frog dance from the Soviet "Adventures of Buratino" Leonid Nechaev. But girls, women and grandmothers broke away in full program, forcing most of the rooms to review several times.
Disco no longer holds the world in a colorful palm. The former rulers of the rhythms of dance floors, renamed in honor of the musical direction in discotheques, appear only in nostalgic national concerts or in some TV show. But the worldwide success of Mamma Mia suggests it was a good idea to launch another project. It is good to tell the songs about someone - and "Boney M", and "Dschinghis Khan", and "Modern Talking". A lot of people can say with ABBA: “Thank you for the music, for the songs I sing, thank you for the joy I bring.”
The director of the musical of the same name Phyllida Lloyd, inspired by the success of the latter, decided to enslave not only the stage, but also the screen, and therefore without thinking twice invited Hollywood stars to the project, spitting on whether they can sing or not, hurriedly scraped the plot and made millions of viewers cry bloody tears.
Immortal songs of ABBA, of course, will bear any shame no worse than paper, but the film seems more capricious.
In general, everything is bad in the film, except, of course, the songs and a couple of moments, so I will note only the main thing.
Meryl Streep clearly got here by mistake. She categorically does not suit this role, in addition, the authors did everything to aggravate the situation. For example, she looks terrible. Even for a woman who takes on all the manly responsibilities and runs a collapsing hotel. Choreography is a nightmare. An elderly practically woman lies on the roof, under which her three former lovers sit, and bends like my cat in March. Thanks for not raping stools. But I still want to see it immediately. And in pursuit of the same imaginary orgy: a jumpsuit in the mud, hair rushing on the ground, not a woman, but a pig. The musical in principle does not suggest something so realistic, everything should be licked, ironed, hair to hair, fold to fold. In the film, of course, you can not be so zealous, but the essence must be preserved. Therefore, all non-sterileness, sobs in the toilet and other things can and even needed to be cut out.
The heroine Streep and her girlfriends are clearly late for their roles. Actresses at the time of filming was already about 60, and this can not hide any creams, suspenders and worldwide fame. It is not clear why it was impossible to make their heroines younger (respectively, invite other actresses). The story is about how a girl lit up in her youth with three men almost at the same time and from one of them gave birth to a daughter. It was forty years ago. Old for a crazy whore.
GGnie's daughter is just a brute. All right, look, I can put in one place my opinion that it's as scary as an atomic bomb and very much like a talking fish, but age! According to the scenario, she is 20, but more than 15 can not be given categorically. I spent 20 fucking minutes just trying to understand and accept the fact that she was getting married. So, she was 20, 20, 20, she’s an adult, tomorrow she’s married... oh shit!!! even at the age of 12 they don’t behave like that! While singing well, you can't deny it.
Speaking of singing, worse than Brosnan, do not sing, it seems, even on the Russian stage.
Also greatly strains the hysterical joy experienced by almost all participants of this show - on the island, furiously waving limbs, only goats do not jump. Disco disco, but the plot, to put it mildly, does not contribute. The only thing, terribly pleased grandmother with firewood, which was shown by the force of two seconds. "Wow!!" A flock of dancing men in flippers is something. But if the grandmother definitely burned, then you do not know whether to laugh or cry.
In general, the movie looks like a clip shot not quite sober people on vacation, inhumanly paired with popular music. Of course, it does not represent any value.
Are you in a bad mood? - Watch the film adaptation of the musical of the same name "Mama Mia!". A smile on your face and a good mood are guaranteed. Sophie decides to find her father, whom she has never met, and invite her to her wedding. The catch is that as many as 3 (!) men could potentially be her father. They're all so different and so funny. And so, Sophie with songs and dancing rushes into the investigation and comes to the truth.
The film is set in Greece. The incredible beauty of the landscapes and the azure sea fascinate and beckon – you look, and you come to amazement. The cast — Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth. I especially like Pierce Brosnan in this picture. He's not James Bond anymore. In tandem with Meryl Streep, they elicit incredible sympathy. For me, this is his role - the hero of a romantic film, unusual, and as an actor, he opens with a new, no less wonderful side. All the actors of this film, known for their professionalism in the film industry, also demonstrate their vocal data in Mama Mia! All the songs of ABBA are performed by them and it is done quite decently!
As I mentioned, there are a lot of songs in the film. “Mama Mia!” does not look like an Indian movie, but like a real musical. Songs don’t “stress,” they add charm. At the same time, there are several actions at the same time - dancing, talking, clarifying, some special effects - all this against the background of beautiful landscapes. I want to jump off the couch and rush to Greece, dance and sing with Sophie, her mother, fathers, fiancé.
“Mama Mia!” has it all – romance, adventure, humor, a bit of sadness, disappointment, but it’s not an absolute comedy or drama. After viewing, there is a pleasant impression and affection. This is a truly sincere, sweet, gentle film, despite the fact that the behavior of the heroine Meryl Streep in his youth can cause some questions, disapproval and even condemnation.
9 out of 10
Mamma MIA! is a rather interesting and light musical with a slight shade of drama and comedy. For a long time I thought before watching this film, about whether to watch it or not, but still looked and a few did not regret.
I am not familiar with the original musical, so I perceive this film as a separate creation, with beautifully staged dance and vocal numbers, well, or episodes, as you like. The action moves quite casually from conversations to beautiful general plans, then to musical productions. This is good, you can take a break from this or that episode, since the movie is quite long, as for comedy.
The plot is very simple and not original. Everything develops in a clear, standard manner for such stories without unnecessary splits of plot branches and unnecessary turns. Everything is simple, straightforward and somewhat funny.
Very well played by actors, who are dark here and they are all of the first magnitude. Immediately unsurpassed Pierce Brosnan and eternally young Meryl Streep, sweet and sexy Amanda Seifred, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard and many others. They all play at the level of this genre. Musical numbers, by the way, also coped well, especially given the fact that I have never seen or heard that at least any of them somewhere sing.
A very cute, pleasant, simple and soulful film that can be suitable for watching with a girl or for a family circle. And, of course, for all fans of the group ABBA, whose compositions organically sound from the lips of the heroes of the film and impose nostalgia.
- Looks like you're having fun. - That's right! - Like I used to be. - Oh, we know!
Sophie has only one wish, for her perfect wedding, to meet her dad. What a surprise it was when she met not one but three fathers the next day. Donna, Sophie's mother, has no idea what awaits her.
Youth. All of us when young fall in love, break hearts, finally get married, and girls can make a mistake and have a child, will raise him alone, and children in turn will grow up and will ask about the father. Mothers either change the conversation or simply say their father is dead. Let's think about what a mother should do. Take for example the story of the Donnie movie.
Unrestrained comedy with a semantic concept of youth. Generations change, as does music. Music brings together two generations that change their style sometimes for the better, and most often for the worse, at the moment. The music of the eighties was a time when real, beautiful songs were successful. At the time, ABBA was recognized. They were so successful that they had their own musical, which is still recognized all over the world. America did not remain on the sidelines, but on the contrary created a brilliant musical with stars of the highest scale on a widescreen screen, which conveys the spirit of love, affection and unrestrained fun.
The film had Golden Globe and Bafta nominations. Amanda was an explosive breakthrough in 2008, the year the film was released. Nobody expected to see such a sweet, vocal girl. The world froze as I froze in the theater. I will never forget how cold it was during the session where I attended this film, and the songs that I heard in voices, the songs of Meryl Streep and the rest of the cast, added to my warmth, sometimes I laughed very loudly.
I liked all the numbers, but still some will have to be highlighted from the rest.
1. Donna, a single mother, did anything to keep her house comfortable. But sometimes something breaks down and she also has to give her employees a timely salary. She starts singing "Money, Money, Money."
2) Donna, hiding from her boyfriends, whom she loved in her youth, begins to sing "Mama Mia". The consequences of the performance of this song – fell from the roof of the house and appeared after 20 years in a very piquant image.
(3) “The Winner takes it all”. Performing this song made me love Meryl Streep. She proved that love has no expiration date and every wrong movement of a loved one breaks the heart.
Acting on a brilliant level. Although I don't think they played. They sang and danced as if for the last time. I am only interested in one thing - whether anyone sang during the performance of a particular song along with the characters of the film.
Live music and dance from the heart.
Bright, positive, sunny, but it seems to be on edge. It's like a little bit more and it'll be playfulness, vulgarity and something like that. Like something out of place, song, story... But I think it's because the movie is based on a musical. I think they took a musical and just shot it in a live set. It wasn't enough for me. Singing people everywhere, people, people! It's good for the stage, but you expect something different from the movie. Although it all depends on the mood, and sometimes it even happens to the place.
In this film, there are two huge pluses: Amanda Seifred and the immortal songs of Abba. Music is not even necessary to discuss, but the girl is wonderful - both the game and the voice. I didn't know about her before this movie. It was because of her that I watched it to the end.
And the movie would be good if it weren't for two huge minuses. Mom's girlfriends. Vulgar and disgusting, alas. One of the first half of the film is a “Lonely Wolf”, which does not need any men, and the rest is hanged around the neck of just such a man. And the other one. Ooh. Scenes with her and the Negro guy. Shame and shame! Personally, I was a little disgusted, spoiled the impression of all the beautiful scenes and songs up to this point.
As a result, the main catch wave! You will have to be in the mood - a gorgeous film will come out, a little stray - and alas. I have the same problem.
We have a tradition: every 30 years my friends and I decide to have fun and go to act in a musical.
That's what Meryl Streep might say about his film career. And if "Alice in the Palace" is a thing completely unknown to the general audience (and not surprisingly), then hardly anyone has not heard of "attempt N2" - "Mamma Mia!".
I heard about this movie, but I was in no hurry to see it. I watched it twice, with a break of several years. I was surprised by the difference in my experience.
I watched Mamma Mia for the first time because of Kristine Baransky (Tanya) — something she hooked me in the film "Cool guy". And, admittedly, the impressions of the musical were not the most rosy. What I liked (besides, of course, the songs of “ABBA”) was the enchanting couple “Rosi + Tanya”. How comically they "burned"! Because of them, the movie was worth watching. And Julie Walters(Rosie) is the charm itself.
I wasn’t thrilled with the rest: a deranged plot that offered a ridiculous story that left no desire to revisit. Amanda Seyfred(Sophie) with these her eyes. Maryl Streep(Donna) with this her overalls and a hairstyle in the style of "I fell from a dump truck" (although she is good that she did not hesitate to appear before the viewer in such a "village" image). But in an interview from additional materials, the actress looks simply gorgeous. What makeup artists do to people!
Shocking and the sight of very, very grown-up people, jumping and dancing clean young people (if you haven’t seen 60-year-old Streep jumping on the bed – have a valerian). I'm not talking about the shiny suits. Well, the performance of songs is a very uneven level of vocal talent of actors. From very decent (in women) to Pierce Brosnan(Sam). I wanted to shoot the last one while singing, so that I would not suffer. And, to top it all, - subtitles for the songs, made on the principle of "guess for yourself."
So, the musical ended, received a verdict of “unlikely revision” and... a few years later was revised. This time because of Meryl Streep.
And that time, I liked the movie. Seriously.
Apparently, moral readiness for the already noted shortcomings played a decisive role here, which allowed us to focus on the merits of the painting. And there are many.
Wonderful sunny landscapes that lift the mood. Incendiary songs "Abba", performed though not always professionally, but with a soul. The mother-daughter scene of Meryl Streep's "Slipping Through My Fingers" was very touching. Of course, Rosie and Tanya. Laughter prolongs life. Scenes with their participation can be prescribed for depression. Nice trio of dads. And just a sea of positivity. It feels that the actors themselves shooting in the musical gave great pleasure.
So if you ever want to watch something cheerful and uplifting, close your eyes to the shortcomings of Mamma Mia! and watch this musical. Sunny Greece, a great cast and beautiful songs "Abba" - it can not but please.
And, look, don't miss the final credits. There's the song "Thank You for the Music" and "Telephones!"
I watched the movie after the musical, so from the beginning my opinion was terribly biased. I naively believed that the possibilities of modern cinema were enough to eclipse theatrical production. How cruelly wrong I was. And here’s the main advice, if you saw the musical, do not even try to watch this poor imitation, it’s not even that it was severely cut off and from 3 hours it turned out to be 1.5 and the half of the plot was thrown out to the loch. Although, of course, it is worth noting that they cut the heaviest songs because of what the film became like a collection of mentally unstable people, suffering from neurosis and manic joy to everything that moves. The musical is much deeper, it places great emphasis on the problem of relations between generations, modern families in principle, and in the film, everyone famously skipped past these topics. So they created something indescribably absurd out of a tear-breaking musical. It's about the plot.
Now it is worth mentioning the actors.
The most obvious thing is that they can’t sing. Again, I compare them to the Russian actors of the musical, maybe they were good at singing themselves and all that, but this fact does not improve their performance, and besides, everyone sings in the musical every time. Listen to the performance of Charkviani, Bystrova, Makeeva, Koretskaya, Berezka, Birin, Klyuev, Portnoy, Khalturin and I can continue this list forever - and you will understand what I am talking about. It still seems very much that all the actors, having decided that the musical is an easy genre, forgot that it would be nice to play. Their pathetic attempts in the depiction of emotions look simply ridiculous, like a pile of deflated balloons, as if cheerfully rolling to the music of ABBA.
Amanda Seifred is nothing at all, more like a sixteen-year-old girl who decides what dress she should buy for her girlfriend's birthday.
Maryl Streep - the feeling that she began to be filmed as soon as Meryl jumped out of bed after a stormy night, poorly understanding what was happening around, and even forgot to make up.
Pierce Brosnan - in my opinion, he still did not depart from Bond, here it was still worth showing more feelings and experiences, and not being in the service.
Stellan Skarsgård was not bad in principle, especially against the background of this zoo.
Colin Firth - I just don't understand how he got into it. And he doesn't look like who he is, and the end killed me. George is not happy with you, Mr. Firth.
Julie Walters is also very good, I would even say very, very good, and does not look old at all, although she has already flown a little by age.
Christine Baranski — and this is the main subject of my criticism. First, according to the story, Donna gave birth to Sophie about 20+ years, that is, she is about 40, as well as friends. Christine, just a minute, 60! And the results of plastic are not visible. So it's not clear how she was able to cuddle a whole beach of guys. The most incendiary scene of the entire musical, Does Your Mother Know, was simply ruined by her and flat Pepper. Where is the fire of our hearts? Where can you burn your fingers? Only get dirty in the ashes. One plus that I immediately drew attention to is the dubbing, namely the incomparable Face of Rull, but even she cannot do a miracle.
But film 1 has an undeniable advantage over the musical, namely the stunning landscapes of Greece. In a musical, you somehow do not pay attention to their absence and enjoy the action, and here you only escape with them.
As a result, from an incendiary, tearful musical with stunning vocals, they created its pathetic likeness with a bunch of famous names.
Wedding is a turning point in everyone’s life, during which you want all family and friends to be there. Especially parents, whose support and assistance will be very useful. But what if you don’t know who your father is? Of course, to find the former mother's cavaliers, who are most likely suitable for this role. And the more they are, the more fun the holiday will be.
British theater director Phyllida Lloyd decided to conquer the world of cinema, transferring her successful musical of the same name to the big screen. It tells the story of a mother and daughter, one of whom missed her love years ago and the other desperately doesn’t want to repeat her mistakes. And in sunny Greece, performing the legendary songs of ABBA, they begin to understand their feelings better, gradually realizing that it is worth listening to your heart more often.
The young girl Sophie’s life develops in a wonderful way – she has a loved one who will soon marry, a hardworking mother, eager to give her daughter everything, and plans to go on a trip around the world that will soon come true. She only needs to know who her father really is. But at first glance, her innocent desire turns the preparations for the wedding into a terrible mess, which she will have to unravel with her mother. And although at first the daughter’s antics causes anger from self-sufficient and proud Donna, who devoted her whole life to ensuring that Sophie did not need anything, over time she realizes what a valuable service her daughter did to her, giving her a chance to understand her feelings and correct the mistakes of the past. Amanda Seyfried played her role well, and Meryl Streep again admired her ability to reincarnate. Their characters immediately attract sympathy, and those scenes when they sing and dance, carry a huge charge of energy.
The first contender for the role of the father is a divorced Sam, who was perfectly played by Pierce Brosnan. The actor absolutely unfairly received the Golden Raspberry for his game, because they very successfully worked with Meryl Streep, showing an amazing love story that conquers everything. Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård also perfectly coped with the roles of the second and third potential candidate for the fathers of the main character. And Dominic Cooper is charming here as Sophie's fiancé. And Donna’s best friends are no less energetic women in the brilliant performance of actresses Christine Baransky and Julie Walters, who make this story even crazier, having fun until the fall and flirting with men. Hopefully, each of these characters has found happiness.
The film instantly plunges into the amazing atmosphere of the holiday, where the dances and songs seem never to end. More than 20 ABBA songs can be heard here performed by talented actors who put a piece of their soul into each song. Director Phyllida Lloyd tried very hard to make this story look like a fairy tale with a significant amount of truth that can teach the viewer to believe in love. And it turned out to be a fun, light musical with a significant amount of self-irony, also perfectly uplifting and showing that the problem of generations is easily solved when they begin to listen to each other.
"Mama mia, now I really know."
My, I could never let you go.
As ABBA sang, if you love someone very much, you should not let them go, you should not lose your chance for happiness. Although if love was real and mutual, fate will bring these people together again.
Sophie is getting married and wants everything to go well. But there's a problem - she never saw or knew her father. She finds her mother's diary, Donna, which mentions three names. Sophie decides to invite all three.
The popularity of the musical Mamma Mia is huge. The musical has long been staged on Broadway and has visited Moscow many times. Unfortunately, I've never looked. The musical was made, I think, with one goal in mind: to bring together the best songs of the great band Abba. So when the film came out, I decided to watch it, at least to have my own opinion on all this.
Pros: 1) Female voices. In the film very well selected actresses for female roles. Most importantly, they have beautiful voices. Especially Amanda Seyfreid as Sophie. She is very good at singing Honey, Honey and Gimme. Meryl Streep is a great actress and here she shows that she can also sing. “Mamma Mia” came out well, although it is understandable that it loses to the original.
2) Music. I mean, the whole set of songs. All the songs are perfect and are my favorites with Abba. And even some of the songs covered by the actors are good and worthy of listening.
Cons: 1 Male voices. If the female composition has no problems with this, then the male one on the other. Pierce Brosnan doesn't have a voice at all, and when he sings "When You Gone" bass on SOS, you want to laugh. Colin Firth doesn't sing very well either, but he doesn't have many songs to notice. Stellan Skarsgård sings "Take a chance on me."
2) Plot. The plot in the film is banal. Of course, I understand that this is a musical and the plot does not play the most important role in it, but for example in Moulin Rouget or The Phantom of the Opera, it was interesting to follow the plot. Sometimes I just want to rewind to the next song.
Verdict: Amateur movie. Abba fans should watch. Although I would advise you to download the track sheet of the film and watch either separately the songs or listen to the originals performed by an immortal band.
6.5 out of 10