Mamma Mia (Film)

Mamma Mia (Film)

Release Date: July 18, 2008

Director:Phyllidia Lloyd



Plot Summary: The film set in Greece, is about a young woman, 20 years old about to be married. As she faces her marriage, she wonders who her true father is. Sophie was raised by her mother and never met her dad. She stumbles upon her mother's diary and after reading it realizes the summer she was conceived, her mother was intimate with three men.

Sophie invites all three me to her wedding and hopes that she will discover who her real father is. The three men arrive at the small hotel her mother owns, and it gets very interesting really quick. Each man has their own "baggage," as well as their own redeeming qualities. Sophie spends time with each one and enjoys them all in different ways. Meanwhile, her mother, Donna interacts with the men in a fun and awkward way. All of them smitten with both Donna and Sophie claim they are the real father

Sophie and Sky begins to wonder why they should marry so young while Donna rekindles her relationship with Sophie’s most probable father, Sam. The film is light-hearted and silly, and like the play it is set to an Abba soundtrack.



Critical Evaluation: While Abba is not my favorite, the music adds a fun tone to the film, and I have seen the play, and felt the same regarding the play as well. I do feel the character, Sophie is too young to marry, and I was glad when I saw her have "cold feet." The concept of a young girl seeking her father was very exciting as adolescence is a time of discovery and exploration of one's identity. The mother daughter relationship is encouraging and at times a little fantastic, but at the same time the movie is “campy,” so the tone fits. The theme of feminine unity is empowering as we see Sophie enjoying her mother, and her mother’s friends. Her mother’s ability to be a single mom and operate the hotel on her own is also a nice touch. Sophie is twenty in the film, but the “campy” tone and romance make it a film ideal for an older teen as well.



Annotation: A sweet romantic comedy which explores a mother daughter relationship between Sophie and her mother, Donna an independent hotel owner; as they plan Sophie's wedding. The main character Sophie seeks her birth father and invites the three potential men to her wedding. Her search for her identity is both empowering and funny all at once.



Genre: Romantic Comedy



Curriculum Ties: No real Curriculum ties, but a good film for reinforcing femininity and independence.



Discussion Points:

1. Is Donna a "strong" woman?

2. Which of the three men would have been the best father to Sophie?

3. Is the life of an expatriate like Donna exciting?

4. How did the music help/ or hinder the tone of the movie?



Age Level/ Interest: 13 and up (Rated PG-13)



Challenge Issues: None



Why include this film: I enjoyed the relationship between Sophie and Donna as well as the theme of seeking one's birth father. The movie is fun and even a times over the top, but it is positive and the content is clean and interesting. The film invites critical thinking about Donna's past, her ability to be a singel mother, Sophie and Donna's independence, and the type of father/ husband each of the three men would have made. These questions make the film valuable to the young adult viewer, and promotes positive female relationships.