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'Mamma' Is A Mess (But In A Good Way)

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By CHRISTY LEMIRE

The Associated Press

Published: July 17, 2008

ABBA songs are, of course, evil in musical form.

Just try getting "Dancing Queen" out of your head once it's burrowed its way in there. "Waterloo," too, is especially pesky. But "Mamma Mia" might be the most tenacious tune from the 1970s group.

The catchy hit inspired a successful Broadway musical a decade ago and now is the basis for a big summer movie. "Mamma Mia!" is a mess, but it's fun - exuberantly goofy, sloppily crafted fun, especially if you're not in the mood for thinking too hard.

Phyllida Lloyd, who directed the stage production, makes her filmmaking debut here, and her years of directing opera and theater don't seem to transfer well to the big screen. Some shots look totally green-screen fake. Sometimes shadows obscure the actors, and at other times the lighting is so flat and bright, it makes everything look low-budget.

If "Mamma Mia!" works on any level, it's through the sheer radiance of Meryl Streep, clearly having a blast letting loose as its star, the former rocker chick Donna. Watching the woman who is considered the greatest actress of our time writhing around in overalls on top of a barn or belting out numbers in a sparkly, spandex jumpsuit and platform boots can indeed be a hoot.

Amanda Seyfried ("Mean Girls," "Big Love") is also solid as Donna's daughter, Sophie.

But not everyone fares so well. Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard, as two of Sophie's potential dads, should never be allowed to sing in public again. As Possible Dad No. 3, Colin Firth has a touch more musical ability, but then his character is stuck with a contrived subplot that comes out of nowhere.

Ah yes, the plot - there is one wedged in among all those ABBA songs.

Sophie is about to marry her fiance, Sky (Dominic Cooper of "The History Boys"), but before she can begin a new life, she wants to know about her past. She digs through Donna's diary, reads about the three men with whom mom was involved around the time she was conceived, and secretly invites them to her wedding.

Donna freaks out at the sight of them, which inspires her to - what else? - burst into singing "Mamma Mia."

MOVIE REVIEW

Mamma Mia! **

MOVIE BOARD RATING: PG-13; some sex-related comments

STARS: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth

DIRECTOR: Phyllida Lloyd

LOCATION: See movie times, Page 7, for local showtimes.

PLOT SUMMARY: A bride-to-be tries to determine who her dad is while singing ABBA songs.

RUNNING TIME: 108 minutes

ON THE WEB: www.mammamiamovie.com

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