Clive Davis
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You mean they still turn musicals into films? You can be forgiven for asking the question, since so much of the traffic has been hurtling in the other direction of late, theatrical impresarios filling the stage with big budget adaptations of screen hits. Although the wreckage of Gone with the Wind has just been carted away from the West End, the transatlantic success of The Producers, Billy Elliot and the like has raised fears that the theatre is turning into a subsidiary of the film industry. Once a cornerstone of the Hollywood edifice, musicals have become an optional accessory. It was striking that when Sweeney Todd finally reached the cinema, the trailer left many a filmgoer convinced that the music itself had suffered the same fate as Mr Todd's poor clients.
So some traditionalists will have been cheered by the news that a remake of My Fair Lady is in prospect, with Keira Knightley reportedly filling Audrey Hepburn's dainty shoes. And now we have the screen version of Mamma Mia!, a show that proved an unlikely launch pad for an Abba revival. West Side Story it ain't, but given the dearth of inventive new commercial musicals, audiences are inclined to be grateful for every crumb that comes their way. (Is anyone up for sitting through Lasse Hallström's early opus, Abba: The Movie? No, I thought not, although I'd happily watch a re-run of Muriel's Wedding, a comedy that makes ingenious use of those synthetic Scandinavian evergreens.)
Mamma Mia! has been re-packaged by the trio - director Phyllida Lloyd, producer Judy Craymer and writer Catherine Johnson - responsible for the West End hit that opened for business in 1999 and went on to conquer America. The breezy, upbeat story of a young bride-to-be who seeks out her real father on the eve of her wedding on a Greek island has been fitted out with an A-list cast including Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. Since some 30 million people have seen the stage version, the film-makers ought to have a fair idea of their target audience.
In truth, these are - relatively speaking - propitious times for screen musicals. After lingering in a near-death state for some two decades, the genre has enjoyed a modest resurgence. Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge! (2001) is given the credit for applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and all the Oscars that showered down on Rob Marshall's adaptation of Chicago (2002) suggested that one of Hollywood's most durable formats had begun to find its feet again.
Whether we will ever enjoy another golden age remains to be seen, of course. One reason why the period that roughly spanned the 1930s to the early 1960s was so fertile was that musical theatre was harnessed to an extraordinarily inventive popular music culture, in which sophistication and wordplay were prized qualities. While contemporary pop has its virtues, few would argue that it has made the ideal match for Broadway (Grease being the prime exception to the rule). Perhaps we will have to wait another generation to see what a new crop of theatre writers, imbued with post-MTV values, will bring to the table.
At the most practical level, film musicals are good for the theatre simply because they are often the easiest way for listeners to enjoy high-quality productions. Your average multiplex may be a sterile place, but it can still provide the ideal introduction to the art of song and dance.
Some films have come close to displacing the original productions in the public's imagination. When people think of West Side Story, for instance, it is invariably in terms of the movie's colour-drenched, wide-screen vistas. Stephen Sondheim's biographer, Meryle Secrest, goes as far as to claim: “If West Side Story had never become a film, its score would have languished in obscurity.” Just as the wide-open plains become part of the supporting cast in the handsome film of Oklahoma!, so Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins brought the sidewalk to life.
Ironically, Sondheim - who provided the show's lyrics - doesn't seem to share the public's high regard for the movie. As he explained in one recent interview: “In West Side Story you see a gang dancing down a real New York street in colour-co-ordinated sneakers, and you just don't believe it. And then there are the songs themselves. The problem is, what do you shoot in something like Tonight? You get a close-up of him, a close-up of her, a medium shot of the fire escape ...
“The director has to fill out three or four minutes of what is essentially a static song, which holds your attention on the stage because that's part of the theatrical convention. Whereas for me, as a movie buff, I want the action to move forward constantly, and it doesn't. They may have little camera diversions and a trick here or there, but they're just filming a stage musical, and that's not for me.”
Is there a formula for creating a hit adaptation? Obviously not. Film is the ultimate realist medium, and each director has to find a way of drawing the audience into what is, on the face of it, the highly unreal convention of characters bursting into song. And while shows usually feed off the energy of a live audience, a movie adaptation has to find its own sustenance. Which goes some way to explaining why Susan Stroman's doggedly unadventurous screen version of The Producers - which might have seemed to have the makings of a sure-fire hit - simply curled up and died.
In the golden age of Technicolor, sheer spectacle carried many a mediocre show. (In the case of South Pacific, the unbearably lush cinematography actually proved a liability.) For all their virtues, some vintage musicals do look static now. With the advent of Bob Fosse's Oscar-winning version of Cabaret, a hint of dark irony became an ultra-hip accessory. (You can't help wondering what The Sound of Music - a delightful film on its own terms - would have looked like if Fosse had got his hands on it.)
The screen adaptation of Chicago, another sardonic work from the pen of Kander and Ebb, boasts a similarly dark landscape. Too relentlessly dark, some would say. But the punters - and the Oscar voters - disagreed. Mamma Mia!, for good or ill, is awash with sunshine.
Mamma Mia! is released nationwide on Thursday

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As a fan of Abba's music and the stage production of Mamma Mia I was looking forward to seeing this, despite being conscious of the fact that it is a 'chick flick'. I was sadly disappointed. For the most part the 'singing' was truly tragic (with a few exceptions). Not one for men or music fans!
Keith Davidson, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
Just been to see this today - WONDERFUL!!! I found myself smiling throughout the entire film, laughing out loud many times and even wiping a away a tear or two! Joyful, beautiful.
I have never really been an Abba "fan", but this was brilliant! The ultimate "feel-good" movie - see it and smile!
Val, Plymouth, UK
Absolutely fantastic! Ive seen it 3 times in 1 week. Have bought the sound track too. Definitely cannot wait for the dvd to be released
Katrina Payton, Chelmsford, UK
What a fantastic feel good film seen it three times in 4 weeks cant wait for the dvd
julie, Cleethorpes, uk
There really is nothing bad to say about this wonderful film. I thought the vision of Colin Firth emerging wet shirted from the water was enough of a memory to keep me warm on a cold English evening. I now have the memory of him in platforms and sparkly spandex.
Superb
Lindi, Bournemouth, U.K.
loved it loved it loved it!!
seen it twice already & looking to try & convince my mum to go & see it again this week!
yes Pierce's singing voice isnt the best, but I've heard far worse - Richard Gere in Chicago springs to mind!
but Streep & Seyfried definitely raise the bar back up ... GO SEE IT!
Roni, Exmouth, Devon
It is an awesome movie!!! It is heading to gross more than 200 million world wide, and may reach 100 mill in the US!!!
Don't listen to any negative critics... If they are so good then why aren't they making movies???!!!
It is a fun movie and a great time...GO SEE IT!!!
Mike Friddle, Ruskin, Florida, USA
I caught the movie twice in one weekend, and I would see it again. No question that M. Streep is outstanding. She deserves an Oscar! Sophie (Amanda) is beautiful to look at, and fit the part extremely well. Every inch of her personified the love of a any mother who has a daughter. Go See It!!
Joan, R.V.C., USA
It's easy to hate a movie if you're not into it. Mamma Mia! fits this genre. If you're not a die hard ABBA fan, then you really won't have
much reason to watch it, unless you happen to like musicals as well. But for those who enjoy ABBA and their music, Mamma Mia is a great watch. Enjoy it!
Norberto Sison, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Loved this film - perfectly captures the joy of the freelovin 70's and the gorgeous Greek Isle's that became the symbol of a generation devoted to freedom, beauty and love. If this movie doesn't open your heart - you are morgue material. Three CHEERS!
Jeff, Santa Fe, USA
What a fabulous film! At the end, the cinema audience applauded and rightly so!!! This should be available on the National Health as it is so uplifting. Let's have more films like this - a bit of escapism works wonders.
Kath, Newtown, Mid-Wales,
This film is the best feel good movie I have seen in years. At the end all of the people in the cinema were clapping and shouting for an encore! No high tension, its not avant garde and its not oscar fueled but there are lots of side splitting laughs. I will certainly see it again and again. Brill!
Eve, Birmingham, UK
saw the film and absolutely LOVED it!! a really entertaining movie. Pierce tried really hard, and it hurt, but who cares, he still looked great. Loved Meryl. Amanda's charming and she's got great pipes. Can't wait for the DVD so I can watch again and again....what a sweet torture!
Daisy, Melbourne, Australia
It's fun, fun and funny. Don't go expecting anything else. Everyone in the cinema was bopping and singing along and laughing at some very silly lines. No stiff upper lip around. The cinema brave enough to offer sing along sessions will truly make a real killing. Have a laugh - you're worth it.
Tony , Warrington, England
Yiasou!! I cringed during the first 10 mins due to the over-acting but it reeled me in and I was in hysterics by the half-way mark. Fabulous, film with great actors who simply let their hair down and had a laugh with the script but still managed to have us almost in tears at times. Superb !!
Marcia, London, United Kingdom
Being a Greek myself I was stunned by the landscape! Exciting film. It's true Pierce Brosnan's voice was ridiculous. He was too serious as well. Very good choreography...I was amazed by Streep's energy and body flexibility. She proved she can play all types of movies.
Stella, London, England
My dad and i were ABBA fans when i was little. Grew up thinking how much fun there are in the melodies.amanda...wow!! Gorgeous, peirce.bless him he tried soo hard to sing!! .But meryl singing winner takes it all..so emotive,such passion.Blew my 37yo straight guy socks off. Nota dry eye inda house
sam, Coventry, UK
High camp nonesense - fantastic!
JJ, London, UK
"The film is almost completely without campery"
What? Did I see the same film?
Was a joy!
Craig, London, UK
AMAZING. i saw it tonight in orlando and i LOVED it!!! dominic cooper was an absolute stud, had me drooling every scene he was in.
the music was great, the actors were surprisingly capable, and it just makes you want to dance and fall in love!! i could see a lot of guys enjoying this as well!
KM, Orlando, FL, USA
I saw the movie today. i intended to see Angelina"s WANTED which I was told wasnt showing yet so I reluctantly went to watch MAMMA MIA instead. Guess what? I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was fantastic. I found myself singing along. Ms Streep is really versatile.
Liza, Laguna, Phils
I saw it tnight at a preview in Plymouth.
I thought it was brilliant!
Julie Walters was FABULOUS. But the real stars were Dominic and Amanda. Such a great pair of leads.
Zoe Fell, Plymouth, Devon
Saw it yesterday at the London preview, and thought it was incredible. I had expected it to be rather trashy, but it was really well done in my opinion.
But I think more should be mentioned about Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried who I thought were incredible and really drew in us youngsters :P
Kirsti, London, England
What is a "post MTV value"? What does it mean? Does it mean anything?
Steve, London, UK
Nice review, which would, under normal circumstances, make me want to see the movie. However, can I put up with an evening of Abba songs? No contest, of course I can't.
Marc, Paris, France
Was at Skiathos premier last night. The film was shot here last year! Mostly on Skopelos, also Skiathos & Pelion - the most beautiful areas in Greece! The film was wonderful & some of the old dears who were in it, were sitting behind us in the open air cinema reading the Greek subs & having a ball
Pegs, Skiathos-Skopelos-Pelion, Greece
I was lucky enough to go as a guest to the 'cast and crew' filming. It is a fantastic feel-good film and I'm going to see it again as soon as it is on general release. Meryl Streep is amazing and the men are gorgeous, even if the voices are not brilliant.
Linda, Chelmsford, UK
I think the movie is shot in Santorini or Amorgos- I'll be there in August and investigate by myself
Erik, Denmark,
This looks lilke real entertainment, cant wait to go and see it.
Colin Firth will be eye candy if nothing else.
Ann Frankham, Littlehampton, UK
Twenty years ago, she would have been a bike ! Now it's probably way below the norm for our drunken young English ladies, who don't even remember the night before.
Beth, Manchester, UK
Couldn't have been that much of a bike if there are only three candidates for Daddy.
Liz, London,