Ever since Chicago took home the Best Picture Oscar at the 2002 Academy Awards, studios have been scoping out Broadway to find their next big hit. In the process, Rent, Dreamgirls and Hairspray have all had their day on the big screen. However, none of these films has been able to recreate the excitement and box-office success that the studio has expected. Sure Hairspray was fun, and to many considered a summer blockbuster, but when award season came around it was practically ignored. Rent was a great film that featured a brilliant cast; however, audience members refused to buy into the AIDS themed plot and it became a distant memory soon after its release.
Then there was Dreamgirls. Filled with promise and high anticipation, the movie industry thought that they had finally found another pot of gold. Unfortunately, the film was left hanging when it didn't receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, and the only award for the film that night was for the work of Jennifer Hudson. Regardless, none of the above mentioned films has come close to reaching the hype and glee that was a result of Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones strutting their stuff on-stage.
Still, studios have not given up. In fact, they seem to have become more persistent as this year they dare to shoulder the pressure of releasing a film version of the most popular and accepted Broadway musical of all time, Mamma Mia!
Taking a page out of the playbook that was used to perfection by New Line for their hit Hairspray, Universal has crowded the film with a run of A-list actors. From multiple Academy Award winner Meryl Streep to former Bond Pierce Brosnan, the cast is stacked with heavyweights, tempting even the most unlikely to give this musical a try "“ and for the second year in a row, it is worth it.
Led by two time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, the cast is as deep as it is enchanting. Playing Donna, the hard-working mother of main character Sophie, Streep completely transformers and enters a new realm of acting. Never before has she been forced to carry a film full of music and medleys; however, somehow, she did it flawlessly.
By her side the whole way is Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard and Colin Firth. With each having a very adamant past with Donna, the three men are unknowingly sent into a trap.
After discovering her mother's diary, Sophie begins to put the pieces together as to who her real father truly is. Unfortunately, Donna had some trouble keeping her hands to herself back in the day and three men fit the bill as potential fathers. So, like any other curious daughter would do, Sophie invites them all out for her wedding. Thinking that she will recognize her father immediately and have someone to walk her down the aisle and give her away as she has always dreamed Sophie has high hopes for the three men; hopes that come with an unexpected emotional twist.
Unfortunately things don't go according to plan as Sophie has a difficult time depicting who her father is, becoming attached to all three and promising each that they can be the 'father' that she has always dreamt of having.
Separately, I have to admit that the three men were quite lame, dull even. However, when brought together and forced to interact, the various personalities sooth yet repel like never before. Thus, the three men are able to provide audiences with a string of laugh out loud moments that capture both the heart and soul of the original play production.
Not to be outdone, Julie Walters and Christine Brankski complete the superb cast as Donna's former backup singers, Rosie and Tanya. Polar opposites at heart, both actresses thrive on their differences, providing laugh after laugh of hysterical personality clashes.
From the constant plastic surgery jokes about Tanya to the roughrider side of Rosie, the two women work brilliantly together. Yet, it isn't how well the two of them work together but rather their shared chemistry with Streep that truly makes their segments so fun.
In fact, plagued by a slow beginning, the film looked as if it was never going to get off the ground. Sure Amanda Seyfried (who plays lead character Sophie) did a decent job; however, the story just wasn't flowing as it should. Yet; when the devilish three divas belt out their own rendition of 'Dancing Queen' as if they were teenagers at a slumber party, the film kicks it into high gear. Their collective chemistry is just so entertaining and addicting that you can't help but fall in love with their long lost dreams and current affairs.
From that moment forward the film contained an upbeat, almost jubilee personality as the music never slowed and the party never ceased, creating a fantastic journey for all those in the theater. However, what I enjoyed more than the great ABBA music and cliché ending was the fact that the film was able to be fun and carefree while still possessing heart, soul and some real-life voices (Pierce Brosnan). However, the beginning scenes cannot be overlooked; thus I would have to classify this film as a decent but slightly faltered Broadway transfer, one that will please many yet disappoint the rest.
