Mamma Mia! is just superb!

By Kathryn Courtney-O'Neill

If there is one film you have to go and see this summer then Mamma Mia! is the one. 

If you've seen the musical at the theatre and loved it then this film is something for you to shout about as it brings to life the characters and scenes into true reality. And it's great fun too, complete with that feel good factor that we wish could last forever.

The film is set to the soundtrack of ABBA songs, each with a story of its own that link the storyline cleverly together. The cast burst into song at some inopportune moments that works pretty well to speed the plot line along. There is great comic timing and wit throughout the film that will have you burst out in laughter. And this is also accompanied by a number of emotional moments that are played out in the film itself.

Amanda Seyfried is a big star of the future. She is Sophie and she has a singing voice that strong and clear, she could easily knock many top artists off their perch. She certainly has star quality and sings with great ease and purity. 

Meryl Streep is wonderful to watch as the stressed out mum Donna, running the remote Greek hotel. She really plays Donna as if the character belongs to her solely. She also has a very good singing voice that is versatile and shows great emotion, shock and sadness. And with Christine Baranski as Tanya - thrice married and back on the dating trail again - and Julie Walters as Rosie - that role was really made for her in my opinion - they compliment each other with wonderful personalities and the backbone of helping Donna make sense of all the chaos that is happening around her.

As for the three potential fathers played by Pierce Brosnan (Sam), Colin Firth (Harry), Stellan Skarsgard (Bill), they meet up inadvertently at a Greek Island habourside for the very first time and find they all have one person and one event in common. 

Watch out for the scene where they meet Sophie for the first time and end up in the Goat hut. This is the lead in to the song "Mamma Mia" where Donna makes her nightmare discovery a reality and recalls Harry as a punk rocker, Sam as a hippie and Bill a long haired musician.

There is a huge song and dance routine for "Dancing Queen" that is just outstanding and watch out for the man playing the piano on the boat. A massive cheer went up in the cinema at the time because it was none other than ABBA's very own Benny Andersson. 

Other notable songs are "Chiquitita" - Julie Walters and Christine Baranski are so funny in this scene as Rosie and Tanya. "Our Last Summer" where the three dads and Sophie spend some time together and I must add Colin Firth has a really good singing voice. "Super Trouper" where Donna and The Dynamos do a one off special appearance and "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" where they penny eventually drops and all three men realise they are Sophie's father!

And don't forget the emotional songs such as "S.O.S" where Donna and Sam try to work things out without much success and "When All Is Said And Done". Pierce Brosnan may not have the best singing voice in the world but he can carry a tune and his voice has depth. It is what I call 'Dad singing' and if that was my Dad up there on that screen singing I'd be extremely proud of him. His voice may be an acquired taste but I have the utmost respect for Pierce just going for it and not plump for lip synching to another voice. Mr Brosnan you have gained another fan!

However the song that does go off the emotional scale for me is Meryl's rendition of "The Winner Takes It All" for that alone she deserves an Oscar nomination to pull it off so successfully, you really feel for her character, Donna. You will understand what I mean when you see the film. 

But I think one of the funniest moments of all is starring our very own Julie Walters as Rosie when she bursts into song with "Take  a Chance On Me" and goes in hot pursuit of Bill. It is pure genius and extremely funny with these two characters.

Does Rosie get her man in the end? Will Sophie and Sky marry? And what happens to Donna and Sam? Well if you really want to find out .... go and see the film! You will love it, love it, love it! This is the feel good film of the Summer and the Christmas DVD blockbuster of the future. It is funny, happy, sad, in fact a rollercoaster ride of life that could so easily mirror each of our lives. In fact depression would be obliterated if this film "Mamma Mia!" was available on prescription.

And don't leave the cinema until the very end of the film itself. You'll find all the lead actors in platforms, sequins and spandex singing their hearts out and the audience joining in. And you'll also spot a cameo appearance by ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus too as an angel cherub holding a harp and a beaming smile. Something tells me the ABBA guys are fans of Hitchcock maybe, only Benny and Bjorn's appearances are done in the best possible taste! 

Kathryn Courtney-O'Neill