Streep, Seyfried shine in a big, happy 'Mamma'

By Matt Windman | amNewYork theater critic

3:53 PM EDT, July 17, 2008

Whether or not you like the Broadway musical "Mamma Mia!" is a pretty good indication of whether or not you're going to dig its faithful movie version.

Unlike the screen versions of "Chicago" or "Sweeney Todd," where new directors came in to reinterpret the stage material, director Phylicia Lloyd and writer Catherine Johnson, who developed the show, have embraced the campy silliness that has turned "Mamma Mia!" into an unstoppable, extremely lucrative global phenomenon.

"Mamma Mia!" is what show queens refer to as a "jukebox musical," one where famous pop songs are cut and pasted into a flimsy plot. It's like going to a karaoke bar with co-workers, but with production values and actual characters.

Here, ABBA songs like "Dancing Queen," "Money, Money, Money" and "Super Trouper" are employed to tell the story of Sophie, a 20-year-old girl living on a Greek island who longs to learn the identity of her real father. She learns of three possible fathers after reading the spicy entries of her single mother's diary and then invites them all to her wedding.

Surely, no one ever imagined that Meryl Streep would be a part of this thing. High art, meet low art. Perhaps she is trying to be cast against type? Well, in any event, she delivers an exuberant -- even poignant -- performance as a former hippie, now frustrated single mother.

Pierce Brosnan surely posses the masculine charm to play Meryl's former beau and one of the potential fathers. His singing is strained and awkward, but also the funniest thing you'll see at any movie this summer. As soon as the former James Bond starts to croon, the audience roars with laughter.

We especially enjoyed Amanda Seyfried, who is absolutely glowing as Meryl's daughter Sophie. The impressive supporting cast also includes Colin Firth, Stellen Skarsgard, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, and Dominic Cooper.

Premiering against the brooding "Dark Night," "Mamma Mia!" is clearly meant to provide counterprogramming for gals, gays, first dates, former disco fans and current Broadway fans. Simply put, it is a big, happy dose of fun. Nothing more, nothing less. Late middle-age women are in spandex jumpsuits dancing and singing to "Waterloo" as if it were a form of aerobics. And we loved it.