Mama Mia - without an exclamation mark
November 17th 2008 21:44
I don’t care if I’m alone in my opinion about this film, but I have to announce that this was the most appalling film I’ve seen in ages. Again it was an in-flight film selection; I think high altitudes affect my brain. It messes with my mind and I can’t be trusted with my choices. But, on a more compassionate level, I don’t think it was entirely my fault, there were other factors involved.
Firstly, the available selection wasn’t that enticing, it was either another drab period drama with Keira-I-have-so-many-teeth-Kn ightly or doofus comedies like Dave with Eddie-I-play-the-same-roles-a ll-the-time-Murphy. Another ingredient was the incessant knee-poking from the woman behind me. After an hour of willing her leg some sort of temporary paralysis, I asked her to stop. She refused to acknowledge her limb was capable of any movement, rolled her eyes and glared at me. What a delightful character she was. Finally, all I’d had to eat for 6 hours was a mangled, pale pastry masquerading as a danish which led my brain into a starved, desperate state with no room for film taste.
Anyway, whatever the reasons, I watched some of this film. Only some, I fast forwarded much of it. I only persevered to solidify my initial aghast disbelief.
Yep, I knew it was a musical based on Abba songs set on a picturesque Greek island. I had doubts but ignored them in a quest for light entertainment that might help me sleep. It didn’t work. It bothered me so much I ended up even more alert than when I started. I should’ve paid more attention to the apostrophe in the title. I should’ve remembered shuddering at the trailer. I should’ve remembered deciding not to see it. And I should’ve remembered I’m only a mild Abba fan and not a musical devotee.
My naive mistake was to assume that anyone in the film who sang would have some sort of singing ability...nope. This was clearly not a prerequisite. But this wasn’t a hindrance, they did it anyway. The sound and image of Pierce Brosnan doing a cabaret version of S.O.S to Meryl Streep through a kitchen window will disturb me for many years. Even his Adam’s apple looked distressed. I was shocked and disappointed that even film icons like Meryl Streep and Julia Walters were weak and limp. The film’s enthusiasm was annoyingly unrelenting and not admirable. It needed to slow down, concentrate on a solid plot instead cramming as many songs in as possible.
Not even the beautiful Greek island surroundings, mass media and high altitude could convince me this film was ‘fun’.
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
I haven't seen it.
The apostrophe is bad enough. But the fact it's a musical? That's enough to put me off seeing it.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Who am I to write a review? I wrote apostrophe when I meant exclamation mark, there goes my credibility down the gurgler.
That aside, I still didn't enjoy the film.
Tracy
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Co-incidentially - the Family Von Nice Guy Singers watched this on the weekend . . .
Unfortunately I don't subscribe to the Emperors New Clothes theory of film reviewers - and have to agree with you.
I had to walk away from it . . . 20 minutes was about all I could take.
Ouch!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I was really disappointed with Meryl as well as Julie, their performanaces were stilted and wooden which was a pity.
I've heard the stage musical is much better than the film.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
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Techbreak
... but I really enjoyed her singing in "A Prairie Home Companion"...
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
A friend offered to pay for me to go to the movies...Didnt know what we would be seeing until we got there. But this -
Describes it perfectly. A girl who doesnt know who her Dad is? Sucked me in straight away. The story was good, and Streep is always excellent. Her singing was wonderful and without her there would have been no saving it. But you said it - They did not focus on the plot AT ALL, such a shame, because the setting was beautiful, the story was good...It just didnt get any attention. I quite liked the scene where she is getting ready for the wedding, having her mum do her up, nice touching song, and the scene for the song "Does your mother know you're out" was really good! And the guy was cute!
It is just so disappionting when all the elements are there but they cant make it come together.
Comment by Carmen
Parent Slate
I think the conditions surrounding the viewing probably didn't help (I don't remember many films I saw in-flight that I really enjoyed much, especially with those annoying knees in the back
I really enjoyed it Mamma Mia though. The fact that Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth were such terrible singers just added to the campness and I felt transported to musical fairy-tale land for a couple of hours. I must confess I love Abba too, so that would have made a difference. I guess you have to be in the mood for a film like this though
Hope you had a great trip anyway!
C
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
p/s...i too hate that knee-in-the-seat (and shaking legs!) fellow passengers/cinema-goers! GRRrr...
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Mich
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Journeywoman
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I understand your decision, most definitely...if I could've walked, I would've.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I haven’t sen A ‘Prairie Home Companion’ even though it’s in my lounge. Maybe it’s time to get more a feel for Meryl’s singing...
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hello Kleo
I was waiting for the film to calm down to give me a chance to form a different opinion, yet it didn’t...it just kept going and going. Eek.
I was pleased that the daughter didn’t married too, at least it was a plot deviation.
I was really disappointed in Streep, I thought she would pull the dodgy bits together but for some reason she didn’t.
Oh yes, that scenery was stunning...
Byee
PS Which film did you think you might be seeing?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
How are you feeling? Congratulations!!
Aaah, I never thought of it that way: ‘The fact that Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth were such terrible singers just added to the campness and I felt transported to musical fairy-tale land for a couple of hours.’ I like that thought...usually when I watch fluff I let myself go, but not this time. I tried to let myself be transported somewhere else, i.e. first class, but it didn’t happen. Maybe I held on too tonight...ah well.
Byee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I would say that being in NY would definitely add to the experience. Glad you enjoyed the show
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
How are you? Yes, it was disappointing, when I decide to watch some fluff, I like to be entertained properly, hmph.
I was at the DVD shop the other day and I briefly thought of watching it again in case I misjudged it. When the trailer came on the telly, I nearly had to leave without my DVD so that told me something. As much as I sound like a grouchy, no-fun viewer, it's not the film for me.
Byeee
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I think Streep played her own character brilliantly, and there was real chemistry between her and her 3 friends, just like the 3 boys seemed to have a real sense of familiarity about them. But the one playing Streeps daughter was utterly, utterly hopeless, she just failed all over the shop, and her fiancee wasnt much better. It was so frustrating....Because it could have been so good if they werent trying to cram in the songs as you said. I mean sure, they had their place in it, and if used effectively they could have really enhanced it, instead of obliterating the plot.
Comment by Doug Pollard
Rainbow Reporter
Freshly Doug
It was dreadful. Streep was wonderful as always, but the script was solid wood, the direction never rose above end-of-term school musical (the director never saw a cliche she didn't love to death).
The rest of the cast seemed to be having fun, but it was all on one note, no light and shade, the pathetic attempts at conflict superficial, and the songs, by and large, didn't really fit.
I liked the mother/daughter moment, and 'Does your mamma know' would have been fun if the guy had any acting ability (a pretty himbo but that was all).
And after seeing this I have decided that Pierce Brosnan is an instruction, not a name.
I should add I love ABBA, sung by ABBA, but this was just painful, amateurish . . . and the ending was a mad rush to cram in as many favourites as possible.
If anyone wants a second hand DVD . . . . . . . . it will make a great bird scarer or drinks coaster. Ugh!
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
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Comment by Sara Dobson
Parents Precinct
My Turn
I love ABBA music and even loved the stage show (as corny as the story line is),, but I refused to pay money to see this movie after watching the shorts for the film where Meryl Streep was saying how proud she was of doing her own singing. Then they showed the clip of her singing off key and I cannot understand why she would have been proud of that!
But then long haul plane trips have lead me to do crazy things and watch terrible movies too
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I like your decription of the film. As you probably guessed, I couldn't see it that way. Glad you enjoyed it though.
Byee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, Pierce should refuse any other singing offers...no matter what!!
Tracy
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
I would never have watched this film, however, in your circumstance, on a long boring flight with a pigshit for brains moron digging you in the back with her fat leg, even I might have been tempted to watch it...maybe... then again, I might have taken up drinking again in preference!
cheers
fog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
You described it well...I wonder if anyone will take you up on your offer?
Byee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
That sounds most unmodest of Meryl, what was she thinking?!
Oh yes, long flights...they make me eat and watch things I wouldn't normally go near.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I did consider getting bladdered but that would've meant more toilet trips which would've only added to the unpleasantness...!!
Ah well,
Tracy
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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Artist Quirk
hey youre not alone - i saw this movie with a friend of mine who LOVES musical theatre and they didnt really enjoy this film, they thought it was too "busy"
it would be a boring world if we were all the same!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
'Tis true, we can't all like the same films!
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree about Streep's daughter, she wasn't convincing at all. That was one of the reasons I didn't bond with the film, another was the incessant dodgy singing.
Tracy
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Mr M took me to see the stage production on opening night and it rocked. Even he, who is not a fan, enjoyed the stage production.
My 7 year old daughter wants to see it, but I'm not quite sure I want to go down the "how come she doesn't know who her father is" line.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I hope I haven’t traumatised you too much but I couldn’t keep it in, the truth had to be said.
Byee
Tracy
Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Techno Stuffs
boxing sound
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I quite like the original music in small doses. I don't like the Mama Mia versions which were in large, uncouth doses.
I'm a fusspot with my musicals taste.
Byee
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I let my daughter watch it too. She thinks its funny that Sophie doesn't know who her dad is. She hasn't yet asked me why she doesn't know...
It was well cast. The only character I didn't buy was Sky but he's not really the focus so I'll let it slip.
And the fact that the couldn't sing didn't really bother me. Part of the charm I thought. Singing ABBA at the top of your untuneful lungs is what makes ABBA special
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for popping back. Your positive thoughts almost made me rethink my analysis of the film, but then I saw a clip on telly and I couldn't even abide that small snippet. I had to leave the room. It could be that I'm just plain intolerant, but I can't help my bodily reaction
Glad you and your daughter had fun,
Tracy
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Maybe they should have just used the *real* Broadway cast. I however did enjoy the the huge cast of back-up singers/dancers...and of course the beautiful scenery
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
!!!!!!
*ROFL*
I finally hired it out ... and have to say that no one in their right mind could have thought this to be anything but a spoof, I just wish they wouldn't have tried so hard at being serious, although if you think of Greek weddings of today, where the oldies still dance to ABBA, well I guess they are deadly serious about their heores... *lol* no doubts about what the director was trying to portray ... and as far as that is concerned [and how ABBAs music has affected very talentless ordinary lives], I guess the film did a good job in relaying it... but the singing!!!!! (Holy [de]evoluation Batman!) ...
I thought the story line (written by the original ABBA [BB]oys), very creative and I have to say that I thought Meryl's rendition of The winner takes it all was pretty good in a bad way... but Pierce really should just stick to acting, no doubts *holding my ears and trying not to blush from embarrasment* GOD AWFUL!
The others were pretty good though and the film left me with a general *feel good* buzz, which is not bad for $1. (rental fee).
A dollar well spent and another post/review well written Tracy... *smile* thanks again for the ehads up on this one [!]
Lilla ...
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Hi Lilla,
I saw the stage production on opening night in Sydney back in 2002. It was fantastic. It really went off.
Even Mr M, who dislikes ABBA at the best of times...(esp at the moment between our Singstar and this movie he is all ABBA'd out)...anyway...he really enjoyed the stage production.
Rhonda Birchmore played the part that Christine Baranski played in the movie and she went off.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
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