Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Starring: Stellan Skarsgard, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth
‘A Magnificent Musical’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as Stellan Skarsgard. Since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Skarsgard has made memorable movies. A Swedish icon, Skarsgard has created memorable movies that audiences cherish. Whether it’s psychologists, psychotic killers or villainous space lords, the actor has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Skarsgard’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Skarsgard has never been afraid of taking risks in his career by playing commemorated characters which aren’t always likeable. Through his abilities to portray characters which are easy to relate to, Skarsgard has become a commemorated icon that audiences value. Throughout his strong career, the actor has made many unforgettable movies which are definitely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Skarsgard and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Mamma Mia!” Is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2008, Phyllida Lloyd’s musical has become a classic. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films made in the musical genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Stellan Skarsgard, who portrays a man caught up in a best friend’s wedding. Ultimately, what makes “Mamma Mia!” a commemorated masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Broadway adaptations, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to it. It delivers a strong message about the importance of finding one’s identity that will resonate with everyone. A captivating adaptation of a beloved Broadway play, there are several strong reasons why “Mamma Mia!” is worth seeing.
Based on the iconic Broadway play, “Mamma Mia!” tells the story of a bride to be that seeks to find her father’s identity causing a dilemma. Amanda Seyfried portrays Sophie Sheridan, a bright woman seeking to be married. Sophie has always been curious about the identity of her father which has been a mystery. Sophie’s mother Donna (Meryl Streep) has always kept her husband’s identity secret to avoid causing catastrophe. However, Sophie’s life changes when she invited her mother’s ex boyfriends to her wedding that causes disaster. Harry (Colin Firth), Sam (Pierce Brosnan) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) are three men caught in awkward situations. Facing a dilemma, Sophie wonders whether she would ever discover her father’s secret identity. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Sophie wonders if it’s possible for her to discover her father.
Phyllida Lloyd is a newcomer to the musical genre. Before she directed “Mamma Mia”, Lloyd has never created a musical before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a beloved Broadway musical but she pulled it successfully. Using stunning cinematography, Lloyd captures a woman’s journey to discover her father’s identity. It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway play into a movie but Lloyd succeeded tremendously. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as glamorous as trips to Greece men seek to organize. Lloyd effectively uses montages capturing lives of women that seek to organize a wedding. For instance, montages enhance the “Money” musical sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Donna dreams of being a rich woman living in a luxurious world. One acknowledges musical montages capturing tensions faced by women that arrange weddings. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” suggested, montages elevate musicals about Los Angeles. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Lloyd captures tensions which women reuniting with past lovers are facing.
Another phenomenal aspect of “Mamma Mia!” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical point of view, the movie is extremely well made. Lloyd uses magical realism to stage musical sequences which are compelling. For instance, magical realism elevates the Mamma Mia musical sequence. During this memorable scene, Donna is shocked to discover her exes arrived at her home unannounced for surprise visits. Magical realism is a tricky technique to utilize in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” demonstrated, magical realism elevates musicals about gangs. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Benny Anderson’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a warm atmosphere honouring a classic Broadway play. Through phenomenal production design, Lloyd honours a legendary musical about the lives of women which face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Mamma Mia!” is a classic musical which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture the tensions faced by women seeking to reunite with past lovers. The film seamlessly moves back and forth between two timelines: past flashbacks of Donna’s experiences with her ex-lovers and her present-day journey to discover identity. For instance, flashbacks elevate the I Recall musical sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Sophie learns about her mother’s past from her ex-lovers. One appreciates flashbacks capturing backstories of women that are mysterious. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” claimed, flashbacks elevate films about childhood memories. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Throughout a spectacular screenplay, Lloyd celebrates a legendary Broadway play which deserves praise today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Stellan Skarsgard delivers one of his greatest performances as Bill. Skarsgard first gained appreciation for playing detectives in Swedish crime thrillers. With “Mamma Mia!”, however, the actor took on his most challenging role. It isn’t easy to portray an iconic character from a Broadway play, but he succeeds immensely. It’s a role that gave the actor the rare chance to showcase flair for singing melodies he had not shown before in his career. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, curiosity and wisdom of an aging man reflecting on his past romance relationships. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors today.
Meryl Streep is magnificent as a woman which seeks to reunite with lovers which are special. Streep has always had an aptitude for playing larger than life women with strong personality, and “Mamma Mia!” showcased her strengths as an actress. As Donna, Streep did a brilliant job of portraying an iconic character. Whether she is expressing surprise at meeting ex lovers after many years of separation or discovering her daughter’s passion, Streep uses her strong body language to portray a woman which is compelling. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most commemorated stars in the industry today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of appreciation. Amanda Seyfried is amazing, bringing charisma to a woman that seeks to discover her father’s identity causing a dilemma. Colin Firth is fantastic, capturing the curiosity of a man seeking to resonate with his lover offering worth. Lastly, Pierce Brosnan merits appreciation. As an aging bachelor, he brings wisdom to the movies
Finally, “Mamma Mia!” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing women that face a dilemma. Unlike most Broadway adaptations, it tackles themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses relatable themes including identity, marriage and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the Broadway play to appreciate it. It delivers an inspirational message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Mamma Mia!” Is one of those Broadway adaptations which everyone would adore.
Fans of Stellan Skarsgard will definitely enjoy “Mamma Mia!” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A marvellous musical, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s precious.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a marvellous musical that adapted a commemorated Broadway play about women reuniting with ex-lovers facing a price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has always managed to find a way to engage audiences through his abilities to portray larger-than-life character in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 