Mamma Mia

Mamma Mia! (2008) , I feel signals the return to Hollywood of the sweet,daft-as--brush, thin-as-a-piece-of-paper,feel good musical. My friend, film critic Jonney H summed it up , by saying Mamma Mia was the best, bad film he had seen in ages, and for once I actually agree with him.
Forget the dubious morals within the plot (promiscuity, unwed mother etc etc) ,the merging of the songs of ABBA, with a likable cast and beautiful settings was always going to be a surefire hit, just like the plastic yahoo trade stage musical had been.
What raises Mamma Mia above the norm is the cast. Meryl Streep has never been better. She looks absolutely fabulous in the leading role of Donna, a touch heavier and slightly hippy-ish than we are used to seeing her, she oozes mischief and fun, and obviously had a real blast making the movie.This is her best performance since Sophie's Choice and should bring her an academy award nomination. (the woman can actually sing too!)
Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth (what happened to colin's teeth by the way?) try their best in awkward singing and occasionally dancing roles; Christine Baranski and lumpy,likable Julie Walters satisfy the Sex and the city 40 somethings.with the comedy turns and the rest of the young, attractive cast bounce around like the kids from fame to songs that will never go out of favour.
I loved the tour de force Dancing Queen scene with Streep,Baranski and Walters leading a crowd of Greek villagers in synchronized singing and dancing on the harbour wall..............(.very Onna White's Oliver! ish choreography). and director Phyllida Lloyd made sure that all the Abba songs turned up in some guise or another, thus pleasing everyone.
The huge audience (for a 6pm showing) loved it all, and I must admit it was a joy to hear an audience clapping and laughing when the credits went up

The whole thing is rubbish of course, but wonderfully toe tapping escapist rubbish.......I loved it