Mamma Mia! (2008)

Director:

Phyllida Lloyd

Writers:

Catherine Johnson (screenplay)
Catherine Johnson (musical book)

Release Date:

18 July 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Take a trip down the aisle you'll never forget

Plot:

The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Song | Singer | Wedding | Kiss

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 13 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Nov. 26	4:15 PM	MAX
Fri. Dec. 4	10:00 AM	HBO

Cast

Amanda Seyfried	...	Sophie
Stellan Skarsgård	...	Bill
Pierce Brosnan	...	Sam
Nancy Baldwin	...	Sam's PA
Colin Firth	...	Harry
Heather Emmanuel	...	Harry's Housekeeper
Colin Davis	...	Harry's Driver
Rachel McDowall	...	Lisa
Ashley Lilley	...	Ali
Meryl Streep	...	Donna Sheridan
Julie Walters	...	Rosie
Christine Baranski	...	Tanya
Ricardo Montez	...	Stannos
Mia Soteriou	...	Arina
Enzo Squillino Jr.	...	Gregoris

Also Known As:

Mamma Mia! The Movie (UK) (promotional title) (USA) (promotional title)
Mamma Mia! (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sex-related comments.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

UK | USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Ireland:PG | Australia:PG | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Sweden:Btl | Netherlands:AL | Finland:K-3 | Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44470) | South Korea:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | UK:PG | Singapore:PG | Norway:A | Portugal:M/6 | Hong Kong:IIA | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:Atp | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | South Africa:PG | Peru:PT | Brazil:10 | Germany:o.Al. | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Mexico:B

Filming Locations:

Agios Ioannis Chapel, Skopelos, Greece

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Donna, played by Meryl Streep comments that she was a "reckless little slut" whereupon her friends tell her that thinking is "Catholic guilt, like a nun". In her next film, Doubt (2008/I), that is exactly the role she plays.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Tanya, Rosie and Donna are singing Dancing Queen in the bedroom, Tanya comes up with a silver hair dryer. In the next shot, when she is standing up, the hair dryer has changed colors to blue.

Quotes:

Harry Bright: [introducing himself] Bright. Harry Bright.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Does Your Mother Know

James Bond needs singing lessons!

I did enjoy this romp in the Greek Islands and was surprised at how well Meryl Streep sang. It's light, full of froth and bubble and perhaps has some aspects of Grease and Bollywood in it. The reason the music works I feel is that they haven't really messed with the arrangements of the songs keeping them generally faithful to the Abba originals. But Pierce Brosnan's vocal efforts were abysmal, almost laughable. Perhaps it was meant to be a send up of the original songs all the way through but he really did manage to mangle the vocals in my opinion. If you have seen the musical on stage you will know what to expect and there are some funny moments in the film and the Greek islands are as always a superb backdrop for the action.