Mamma Mia!
Short description
Sophie Sheridan is about to get married on the small Greek island of Kalokairi, where her mother Donna runs a hotel. Sophie has never known who her father is, and Donna has always refused to say. After finding her mother's diary, Sophie secretly sends wedding invitations to three men from Donna's past, each of whom could be her father, hoping one of them will walk her down the aisle. When all three arrive on the island, Donna is confronted with a part of her life she thought was behind her.
The film is a screen adaptation of the stage musical built around the songs of ABBA, with a screenplay by Catherine Johnson and direction by Phyllida Lloyd. It was Lloyd's second feature, following her 2004 film Macbeth and preceding The Iron Lady and Herself. Amanda Seyfried plays Sophie, with Meryl Streep as Donna. The three potential fathers are played by Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård, and Christine Baranski appears as Donna's friend Tanya.
Released in 2008, the film had a budget of about 52 million dollars and took roughly 610 million dollars worldwide, a large multiple of its cost. It holds a 6.5 rating on IMDb from around 303,000 votes and a 7 on TMDB from over 7,000 votes, while its critics' rating stands at 5.8 from 187 reviews, so audiences have responded more warmly than reviewers.
What's left behind the scenes
- Filming for the movie took place in London and Greece.
- Bill Nighy was originally supposed to play his namesake, Bill, but the actor left the project just before filming began. Stellan Skarsgård replaced him.
- The film is an adaptation of the eponymous musical, based on songs by the famous Swedish group ABBA, which is a huge success worldwide.
- This is Phyllida Lloyd's debut in feature films; before this, she worked on theatrical and television productions.
- The screenplay for the film was written by Kathrine Johnson, one of the creators of the original musical.
- The premiere of 'Mamma Mia!' in Stockholm was attended by all four members of the legendary quartet – Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus.
- According to Meryl Streep, she dreamed of singing since school, so she agreed to participate almost immediately. Immersing herself in the atmosphere of ABBA's songs was like 'returning to an old beloved home' for her.
- The main difference between the film and the musical is the number of ABBA songs. There are 22 in the musical and only 19 in the film.
- Two versions of the film were shot – one with the musical's cast, and the other with film stars.
- ABBA members and film producers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson recorded the instrumental parts of the songs and consulted the musical director of the production, Martin Lowe.
- Actors from the Swedish stage production of “MAMMA MIA!” were invited to perform as the chorus.
- At the beginning of the film, a Swedish flag can be seen on the yacht of Stellan Skarsgård’s character. This is a reference to the fact that ABBA, whose songs the musical is based on, originates from Sweden.
- Sound for the musical scenes was recorded live on set during takes, rather than, as is usual, in a studio after filming.
- During the performance of the song "Dancing Queen" (0:37:56) Benny Andersson appears in the film, and in the finale during the performance of "Waterloo" (1:39:09) Björn Ulvaeus, members of the ABBA group, appears with the Greek gods.
- In the theatrical version of the musical, Bill Anderson, played by Skarsgård, has the surname Austin.
- The film is based on the musical of the same name.
- All four members of the legendary quartet attended the film's premiere in Stockholm.
- According to Meryl Streep, she dreamed of singing since school, so she agreed to participate almost immediately.
- Mandy Moore, Amanda Bynes, Rachel McAdams, and Emmy Rossum all auditioned for the role of Sophie.
- Sound for the musical scenes was recorded live on set, not in a studio.
- Pierce Brosnan (who played Sam) had no idea what the project was when he agreed to participate. He was only told that filming would take place in Greece and that his co-star would be Meryl Streep (who was cast as Donna). Upon hearing about Streep, Brosnan said he would have agreed to a role in any project, just because Streep was involved.
- The film only hints at the true identity of Amanda Seyfried's character's father. According to screenwriter Katherine Johnson and director Phyllida Lloyd, the father is Bill Anderson, played by Stellan Skarsgård. In the original stage production, Bill was Australian, but in the film he is Swedish, thus Sophie's homeland – like that of ABBA – is Sweden.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
