ABBA's legacy will stand the test of time far longer than this
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:169
Fresh:90
Rotten:79
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: This jukebox musical is full of fluffy fun but rough singing voices and a campy tone might not make you feel like "You Can Dance" the whole 90 minutes.
Australian Rating: PG [See Full Rating] Mild sexual references and coarse language
Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins
Genre: Comedies
Australian Theatrical Release:
Jul 10, 2008 Wide
US Box Office: $143,704,210
Synopsis: After its run as a West End hit in London, MAMMA MIA became a Broadway smash when it opened in New York back in 2001. With a story framed around the music of the Swedish pop band Abba, crowds loved... After its run as a West End hit in London, MAMMA MIA became a Broadway smash when it opened in New York back in 2001. With a story framed around the music of the Swedish pop band Abba, crowds loved its raucous, dance party vibe. Now it comes to the silver screen, with some truly delightful performances from the likes of Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. It is the story of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) a young woman living on a picturesque Greek island with her mother, Donna (Streep.) Together, Donna and Sophie run a ramshackle island inn, and they are in the midst of preparing for Sophie's wedding. As the wedding approaches, Sophie becomes troubled by the fact that she has never known her father. She was the result of one of her mother's summer flings, and her mother has never revealed her father's identity. When Sophie stumbles upon her mother's diary, she learns that there are three possible men who could be her dad. Without telling her mother, she invites all three to her wedding. When Harry (Colin Firth), Sam (Brosnan), and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) all arrive at the same time, Donna is of course shocked and overwhelmed by seeing her old lovers again after such a long time. She turns to her two best friends, Tanya (Christine Baranaki) and Rosie (Julia Walters), for their support, and vows to just get through the wedding and weekend. Meanwhile, Sophie spends time with each man, determined to learn the truth. Major hijinks and confusion ensues, all amidst the utterly romance scenery, and the rather irresistible, swelling love ballads. Streep has a lovely singing voice, and to watch her throw herself into this whimsical role is truly a delight. She looks like she is having a ball, and it is hard not to shimmy along with her. Baranski reliably delivers an over-the-top showstopper, and Brosnan's tender singing voice makes his character all the more touching. The film strives to be a jubilant celebration of mother/daughter relationships and the love between good friends, and no matter how cheesy some may find Abba, it is hard to resist its many charms. [More]
Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried
Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Christine Baranski
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Screenwriter: Catherine Johnson
Producer: Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman
Composer: Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus
Studio: Universal Pictures
Reviews for Mamma Mia!
Perhaps your enjoyment will depend on how much you like the songs (I’m not a huge ABBA fan), but the great thing about this film is its joyousness.
A film that actually earns the exclamation mark that adorns its title, thanks to the exuberance that Streep and her co-stars bring to the job of reviving the rituals of the movie musical.
This joyous frolic propelled and inspired by the timeless music of ABBA is a bit like Grease for the older set, with Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan playing the leading roles
After this, after "Movin' Out" (based on the deplorable songbook of one Willliam Joel), it's not even satire to suggest that the next big thing will be a musical inspired by the oeuvre of Howard Jones
...certain sequences are inherently far more affecting and engaging than others.
More fluff like "Mamma Mia!" than "Made of Honor" would make mid-year moviegoing a happier experience.
As for Meryl Streep, you sense that she's thinking what you're thinking: That she can't actually be in this movie.
The story is ... urh. No film has ever had a more irrelevant story.
Even the most exuberant musical numbers feel either flat or forced.
The infectious, decades-old ABBA songs on which the film is anchored are the only thing keeping it afloat.
Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgard have a great time playing the bimbos who may be Sophie's dad.
A sage once advised being wary of movies in which the people on screen are having more fun than the people in the audience. Mamma mia, was that good advice.
I believe that genealogy would prove "director" Phyllida Lloyd a descendant of Ed Wood himself.
An absolutely hilarious, rousing and joyous celebration that ought to have you dancing in the aisles.
Latest News for Mamma Mia!
February 04, 2009:
Exclusive: Inside Pinewood/Shepperton - A Photo Tour
Every year, the BAFTA film awards present a trophy for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. Introduced in 1978, the award recognises an organisation or a person's career... More...
January 21, 2009:
Razzies Name 2008's Worst Movie Nominees
No awards season would be complete without the Golden Raspberry Awards (AKA The Razzies), awarded each year to the very worst movies to hit Hollywood. This year's winners will... More...
January 07, 2009:
People's Choice Awards Winners Announced
The 35th annual People's Choice Awards were handed out on January 7, 2009. A complete list of film nominees, with winners in bold, follows below. More...
December 28, 2008:
There's a neat free spirit versus family values message here, about a dad being no big deal when you can have three. Not to mention that family is more about who loves you, than whatever does or doesn't dangle between their legs. ![]()
More...
More DVDs
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Mamma Mia! at Rotten Tomatoes
- Mamma Mia! at IGN
- Mamma Mia! at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Join Moon director Duncan Jones' quest to get Sam a nod.

What are Marty's all-time scariest picks? The Daily Beast finds out.

TIME tells us the tales behind 13 of Hollywood's most famous wolfmen.

The 57-year-old is headed back to the Playhouse. Details catches up with the iconic star.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

The year's biggest film is here and we're giving away big Transformers prize packs -- including both movies and the animated series.



Top Critic


