Is it just me?

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 5:48pm

I saw Mamma Mia this afternoon, and I have to say I just don't get it. It's this international phenomenon and everyone (even non-theatre people) love it.

I saw the stage show a couple of years ago, and I really disliked it. However when the movie cast was announced I was persuaded (by two words: Colin and Dominic) to see it. I went in with a good attitude trying to love it, but I just don't get the appeal of this particular show.

I do have to admit that I enjoyed the first half quite a bit more than in the theatre - the beach and stars at least made it watchable. However, towards the wedding, I just completely lost interest. What am I missing?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 6:09pm

Love of ABBA music? I don't know...that seems to be the big draw. I've not seen it in stage or movie form yet, so I don't know other than that.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 6:15pm

I suppose- I don't really dislike ABBA music, but I don't love it either....

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:37pm

Nope, not the only one. I didn't love it either. I went in with an optimistic outlook. I "liked" it, but that's it. I thought Streep (whom I love) while good was WAY too old for the part. I thought Brosnan should never be allowed to sing publically.

I love the reaction: they were all having so much fun. Um...that's what home movies are for.

And it bothers me a little that it has been so successful on B'way.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:40pm

Good - just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one.

[Eagleman]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:47pm

Do you know some people hated "Dr. Zhivago"? Others loathed "Forrest Gump".

You're not missing anything. You just don't like what many others do.

I had an uncle who could not stand butter.

Go figure.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:51pm

Thanks Eagleman - I'm glad I won't be exiled from the Broadway community!

[Weez]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:09pm

You're saying people hated 'Forrest Gump' as though the haters are the ones who are weird. o_O

My mum hated 'The Princess Bride'. I have a small despair set aside in my cupboard for her.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:30pm

I have very detailed dreams of what I would like to do on a deserted Greek isle with Amanda Seyfred.

NONE of them are in this movie.

And the stage play is the perfect embodiment of ABBA. I could NEVER understand what anyone saw in their music. My refrigerator hum is more attractive.

As they say in Pricilla, Queen of the Desert:

"NO MORE ****ING ABBA!!!!"

[Eagleman]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:47pm

"You're saying people hated 'Forrest Gump' as though the haters are the ones who are weird"

Try to keep the paranoia in check. I'm suggesting that while a movie may be declared an overwhelming critical and popular success there will always be those who feel differantly about it.

There were those who thought Mozart was overrated... . Dickens. It's not about labeling someone "weird" for having an opinion that puts them on the "road less travelled"; it's an observation on reality. Art is very personal even though it is by necessity, communal.

My uncle was no more weird for finding butter appalling then I am for loathing
brussell sprouts.

As far as I know I may be genetically hardwired to dislike brussell sprouts and, similarly, someone else may be genetically or neurologically predisposed to find
Abba's music intolerable.

The problem is not different tastes but the intolerance of different tastes when there is nothing intrinsically morally questionable about one's preferences.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:49pm

Ooh! Condescension at 2am! It's a new thing! ^_^

Congratulations! If it were possible, I would give you a big shiny trophy for managing to use the words "neurologically" and "Abba" (as in Swedish pop group) in the same sentence. :3

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:50pm

What is there to get? If you're looking for hidden meaning, you're at the wrong show/movie.

It's a stylish good time.

[Patash]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 9:16pm

While I agree that not everyone will like every thing, and each person is entitled to his own opinion, I'm dumbfounded at the idea that someone who "really disliked" the stage play went to the movie (which has been touted as being an almost direct copy) because of two minor actors in it and ended up surprised that he didn't like it. Duh! Open mind, you say?

I find baseball a total bore, but I went to a Yankee game because of a hot shortstop I saw in a magazine and guess what. Despite going and really trying to like it, I still didn't. Can you imagine? Similar idea. What am I missing here?
Updated On: 7/18/08 at 09:16 PM

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 9:35pm

I have not seen the show or movie. I have no desire to see the show. It's just not my thing and I don't want to waist my money and time on it. When I found out there was a movie I got excited because I could see that and see if I like it. I don't like ABBA music but I don't hate it, it's just annoying. I am seeing the movie on Sunday and I am some what excited, I'm going in with a positive attitude and an open mind. Hopefully it will be good.

[fanpires]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 9:44pm

I think ABBA is an acquired taste. I grew up with them, and I like them, but once in a while, they can get annoying. But I think their music as a musical works very well - their songs are dramatic at times but really cute and energetic at other times. The storyline is eh, but it works.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 11:33pm

Well - I've seen more than one show that I've disliked or didn't understand at first and grew to love.

Examples -- well, a major one is Rent. I saw it the first time and was very young. I didn't understand alot of it, and I certainly didn't love it. The next time was probably 6 or so years later, and I loved it. I've now seen it multiple times and it is my favorite show.

Another show is Bare which I saw twice. I wouldn't even listen to the cd. The first time I thought it had alot of flaws and just thought it was a mess. The second time, I understood it better began really appreciating the score. Now I really enjoy the show and music.

In the Heights is (hopefully) another one. I will be seeing the show again. I wasn't thrilled the first time around and saw all the flaws. After listening to the recording, I really love the music and I'm really looking forward to seeing it again and appreciating the beautiful parts of the show.

So maybe it is just me, but alot of times when you see a show for the first time there is SO much to take in. I also often see shows while I'm out of town, and the other parts of my day might taint my opinion of the shows.You also might be expecting too much. So I am willing to give things a second chance.

And it's not like I don't like musicals... obviously I love them.

I have many friends who just love this show, and we generally have the same opinion. So I was just looking for input about what I might be overlooking.

Not trying to defend my post, just trying to explain the reasoning behind the question

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 12:10am

I'm sure that it was not just you. I have yet to see the film, but I quite enjoyed the show.

[winston89]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 1:09am

To me it feels like Mamma Mia is one of the few jukebox musicals where it actually has a good story line and the song choices fit in with what is going on in the show.

The show is nothing more then pure fluff and it doesn't try to be more. I think it is a good show and I enjoy it a lot having seen it a couple of times. I mean the show must have something going for it if it has grossed a billion dollars from all the worldwide productions of it.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 1:21am

And it bothers me a little that it has been so successful on B'way.

It's statements like these that really tick me off. It's one thing not to like something...but to be bothered that it's successful is condescending. You're saying "I don't like it. Thus, it should not be allowed to find success." Which basically says that even if a majority seems to like something, they're obviously wrong because you don't like it.

I dislike SPRING AWAKENING. Lots of people like it. But I'm not bothered that it's successful.

Updated On: 7/19/08 at 01:21 AM

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 3:16am

I agree that something should be allowed to be successful whether you like it or not (see above). However, there is IS alot of trash other there that is successful that shouldn't be (see entry: alot of reality television).

I don't think Mamma Mia is one of those things though because I'm all for musicals of any sort. Even those I don't like. Even HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL for goodness sake.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 11:03am

Of course it's "allowed" to be successful. But at the same time I'm allowed to be bothered by it and by what I perceive as low standards. I think that it goes with my thinking that truly wonderful theater is often NOT financially successful simply because of the 'happy, happy' mentality that seems to prevail.

I feel the same way about the lack of truly successful (and long running) plays (vs. musicals), as well as the "disney" success thing -- yes, I know it's a business...but I can wish for more.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 3:24pm

Does Broadway actually have any long-running plays right now? Like, longer than a year. We'll say a year.

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 7:32pm

But Broadway needs "happy-happy" just as it needs dark and thought provoking.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 7:36pm

If it makes you feel any better, I despised the movie to such a level that I left after the first forty minutes.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 7:37pm

I haven't seen it, but I'm not sure if I should because I friggin' despise ABBA.

And count me as someone who disliked Dr. Zhivago.