Mamma Mia: Required Viewing for Some of Us

Even if Meryl Streep hadn’t been selected to play the mother, Donna, in the movie version of the ABBA-tribute musical “Mamma Mia” . . . I would have gone. Ms. Streep, however, took what would have been a tuneful evening and made it eminently watchable. It’s all about the songs, to be sure, but with a stellar cast — Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, and Christine Baranski (among others) — the characters are pretty fun to watch and one can almost discern a story line worth following.

It’s all about the fun. And there’s plenty of it. Meryl Streep, tapping into a strong and expressive singing voice, finds herself with another success — hardly a career topper but certainly not a career stopper, either. She and her girlfriends — fellow Super Troopers Baranski and Walters — have more fun onscreen (and probably off) than anyone else. And they generously let everyone in on it.

So what can I tell you — I love ABBA. It even seems like Swedes would have chosen a sunny Greek isle for their vacation. To tell you the truth, I wanted to see the A, B, B, and A of ABBA in the movie, front and center, smiling and singing, and looking fabulous. Just like they do in my mind. And then we could say “Thank you for the music,” for real.

OK, some quibbles.

Was Marnie Nixon (or her modern, male counterpart) not available to do Pierce Brosnan’s singing? His voice didn’t really offend my ears but I was worried that, upon hearing it, maybe he’d be upset. It’s just not the voice you expect. Maybe that whole decade of 007 flicks distracted us from who the guy really is. Maybe the voice — a little strained and thin and wandering — fits the guy after all. Especially difficult to sit through was the duet on the hillside with Meryl — she should have done it solo.

And then there’s “Chiquitita” — a pop masterpiece that deserved every bit of production magic that the boys and girls first put into it. Unfortunately, it got stripped down and was nearly whispered through a closed bathroom door to an upset Meryl by one of her girlfriends. “Chiquitita tell me what’s wrong . . .” The song should inspire goose bumps, not twittering from the audience

But so many great productions. The Greek chorus that appears throughout is one big grin after another. “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight)” even made me want to throw a bachelorette party.

So see it — every song is a joy, even when they fall short of the original — and they always do. Yet it doesn’t matter. There’s great energy, great fun, and some fantastic scenery. And kind of a sweet, nonsensical story if you care to tune into it.

I only wish that Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson were still in their prime and willing to put their own, brand new musical together — using fresh songs with impeccably baited hooks and new, irresistible walls of sound. But their best work has already been captured. And people still can’t get enough of it. Hey, see the movie for the fun of it and then download ABBA Gold — so you can hear perfection.