Mama Mia

Jul 11 2008 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

DUST off your dancing shoes because Mamma Mia! is a delight. Director Phyllida Lloyd and writer Catherine Johnson, who masterminded the smash hit stage version of the all-singing, all-dancing musical, work their magic here too with a cast including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth.

From the opening strains of I Have A Dream to the full-cast rendition of Waterloo in glittery catsuits and platform boots, this rollicking romance set to the ABBA songbook is pure, undiluted joy.

It’s so much fun, you’ll leave the cinema elated – and perhaps a little tearful after Streep’s heartbreaking solo on Winner Takes It All – and it doesn’t matter a jot that most of the male cast can’t hold a melody.

Indeed, it adds to the film’s boundless charm as the cast throw themselves with unrestrained gusto into each brilliantly choreographed number, including impressive mid-air splits from Streep as she bounces on a bed singing the anthemic Dancing Queen with co-stars Christine Baranski and Julie Walters.

The Greek islands provide a breathtaking backdrop to the fun and games, with crystal blue waters where Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper frolic for their duet, Lay All Your Love On Me.

Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is poised to marry Sky (Dominic Cooper) on an idyllic island where her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) runs a decrepit taverna. Unfortunately, the bride-to-be has no one to give her away because Donna refuses to reveal the identity of Sophie’s father.

So Sophie invites the three old flames who could be her old man – architect Sam (Pierce Brosnan), travel writer Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) and banker Harry (Colin Firth) – in the hope one of them will be able to walk her down the aisle.

Streep is marvellous, while Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgard embrace their roles without restraint.

Their infectious energy reaches a giddy high when we’re encouraged to sing and dance like lunatics in the aisles to an uproarious reprise of Dancing Queen.