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| Movie Review: Mamma Mia! Alternate Title: Oy Vey!
Story: The only good thing about
sitting through a terrible movie is that I then go home and write the
review. It is payback time. Let's face it - writing a scathing review
is oodles more fun than writing a mediocre review.
This movie stunk. There were no redeeming qualities
to the film. No wait -- if you can possibly sit through the whole film
and are simply too numb to get up, when it is finally over, you will
gasp aloud, as I did, while watching the credits. The costumes and performances
during the credit role were hilarious.
The story is about 20 year old Sophie, who lives
on a Greek island with her single mother, Donna. Sophie is about to
get married and the only thing missing in her life is knowing who is
her father. While reading her mother's old diary she discovers that
three men were intimate with her mother that summer 20 years ago. So
what does Sophie do? She secretly invites them all to her wedding. Let
the miscues, miscommunication, moronic behavior ensue.
How can a film shot on a Greek Island not be
pretty? How can a stellar, three dimensional cast be so one dimensionally
awful? Why did any of these actors agree to this fiasco? We will never
know the answers to these mind boggling questions and I am still scratching
my head at how very bad this movie turned out.
Yes, I saw the play a long time ago and didn't
get the enthusiasm of the crowd at that time either. You could say I
am not a big Abba fan - but I am a big movie fan and I know a good movie
when I see one and this piece 'o crap was not a good movie. It was an
empty calorie experience.
It was directed
(and I use the term very loosely) by Phyllida Lloyd
(who also directed the hugely popular stage show) and written by Catherine
Johnson, who was responsible for the original musical book
on stage. It was originally conceived by Judy Craymer
based on the songs of Abba.
Watch the trailer and see all you need to see in under three minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhF9ruEgDqI Acting: Meryl Streep as Donna has never looked more
uncomfortable. I was embarrassed for her. Pierce Brosnan
should never, ever be allowed to sing again. Colin Firth
should not include this on his growing resume. Stellan Skarsgard
looked totally confused throughout and seemed as if he were
in pain. Julie Walters as one of Donna's old friends
could not have looked more uncomfortable. Dominic Cooper,
who was terrific in The History Boys will survive this debacle
as will the young and lovely, Amanda Seyfried (Big
Love). Finally, Christine Baranski definitely looked
drunk (and I do not blame her) the entire film.
Predilection: None
Critters: It was lucky there were no critters. They
would have been stomped upon with all of the dancing, rolling around
on the ground and kicking throughout the film.
Food: Lots of food being prepared for the big wedding,
including fish and wedding cake but nothing was eaten. Sex Spectrum: The implication of sexual activity was
rampant but no sex on screen.
Blatant Product Placement: Sephora
Soundtrack: Ever heard Abba?
Opening Titles: The glitzy title of Mamma Mia! but
all credits were at the gasping end of the movie.
Visual Art: The production values were so dismal
even the Greek Islands looked depleted of color and warmth.
Theater Audience: A few other dazed and confused
people. Weather: Lovely
Sappy Factor: 3
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I squirmed for all of the actors who
had to do what they did.
Drift Factor: I looked at my watch for the first time
after only 12 minutes. I then planned the rest of my life. Oy!
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: A resounding NO
Big Screen or Rental: Neither
Length: Too long at any length.
LOBO HOWLS: 2
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