My, my, how can I resist you? With the help of the cast renditions of ABBA greatest hits for a soundtrack, Mamma Mia (2008) has stood the test of time, firmly remaining a cult classic.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd and adapted from the hit West End production of the same title, Mamma Mia follows the run up to, and the day of, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and Sky’s (Dominic Cooper) wedding.
Sophie has never met her father and decides that inviting him to her wedding is the best way to go about it. Sophie goes through her mother’s old diary and invites three men who could be her father: Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Bill (Stellan Skarsgård), and Harry (Colin Firth).
Sophie’s bright idea gets even better, deciding not to share this information with her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), and attempts to hide the three men when they arrive on the very tiny island. The final kicker: Donna has no idea who the father is either.
Although the film follows a rather silly storyline, inviting three random men who could be your father to your wedding (and they all turn up at the exact same time), you cannot help but overlook this ridiculous element, it just oozes joy and delight.
Sun-kissed skin with sea salt hair – the aesthetic and ambience created makes it impossible to watch Mamma Mia without a smile on your face. The colour pallet and costumes transport you to a Grecian island, making the viewing experience almost immersive.
The relationship between Sophie and Donna in Mamma Mia breaks the mould when it comes to the portrayal of mother-daughter relationships on screen, far from the usual fraught and turbulent bonds. Their relationship is built on honesty and warmth, despite inviting three of her mum’s ex-flings to her wedding, but you cannot stay angry if you live on an island like that.
The montage of Donna helping Sophie prepare for her wedding along to ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ is extremely moving, encouraging oneself to reflect on their own relationship with their family. The scene perfectly encapsulates how Donna has dedicated her life to her daughter, much like so many mothers out there.
The unconditional, boundless, and radiant love that exudes between Sophie and Donna fills the void of positive depictions of mother-daughter relationships. Mamma Mia is both an ode to all mothers and the perfect excuse for some ABBA karaoke.
Related: Read out the countdown for the best movies to get ready for
