Books and Movies

Last night, Natalie and I left Kevin and the boys at the hotel and went to see Mamma Mia. And absolutely loved it! The best way to describe this movie is that it is a music-filled joy-fest. It was a little bawdier than what I would normally take Nan to see, but she rolled with it, and we both enjoyed it very much.

First of all, can I just say that Meryl Streep is an actress without peer? This woman is truly amazing in her range - to think this is the same woman who appeared in Sophie’s Choice, Out of Africa, The Devil Wears Prada! Her voice is good - maybe a little weaker due to age than someone like Patti Lupone who is constantly singing - but still very good, and her performance of “Winner Takes All” was heartbreaking.

But this movie is so much more than just Streep. Amanda Seyfried has a beautiful voice, and was brilliant as Sophie. Christine Baranski was a perfect choice for Tonia. And Julie Walters - Mrs. Weasley! - was hysterical. In fact one of my favorite scenes from the entire film is her crawling on a roof, chasing Stellan Skarsgard, singing “Take a Chance on Me.”

My most favorite scene, however, is when Streep, Walters, and Baranski go singing through the streets of the Greek town, singing “Dancing Queen,” and causing all the Greek housewives, fish-sellers, and young women to throw down their aprons and wooden spoons and follow them, dancing and singing onto the dock. Pure joy.

Skarsgard, Colin Firth, and Pierce Brosnan were good choices for the three “fathers” of Sophie. Firth doesn’t have a great voice, but held his own, as did Skarsgard. My only beef with the movie is that they should have dubbed in another singing voice for Brosnan, or better yet, hired an actor who could sing to begin with. The chemistry between Brosnan and Streep was believable, but it was ruined every time he sang.

Even with that, though, I will definitely be purchasing the soundtrack very soon. Natalie and I have been humming the music since last night.

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