*SPOILER ALERT FOR THE MAMMA MIA! STAGE MUSICAL AND 2008 FILM
If you know me, you know that Mamma Mia! (2008) and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) proudly reside in my list of favorite movies. The jukebox musical features songs by ABBA, the Swedish pop group whose music features layers of sounds and vocals that could make anybody groove. The ABBA soundtrack, Greek island setting, and beachy 1970s costumes of the Mamma Mia! universe make for films that are difficult to watch without smiling.
Something I appreciate about the films and musical is the focus on character relationships. According to IMDb, Mamma Mia! (2008) is “the story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group ABBA.” This is the most simplified summary of the film because it is so much more than just the bride-to-be’s hunt for her real father. In this article, I will explore the many relationships and how they positively impact the characters.
Sophie and her possible dads
The description of the movie/musical already sets up that the relationship between the bride-to-be, Sophie Sheridan, and her three possible fathers will be central to the narrative. Sophie believes there will be an instant connection between her and her biological dad, stating, “I will know my father as soon as I see him.” However, upon meeting Harry, Bill, and Sam, she is uncertain which man is the one she’s looking for. She spends time bonding with all three of them, notably during the song “Our Last Summer” as they sail around the island all together and each man shares memories of Sophie’s mother with her. Sophie plays Harry’s guitar, steers the boat with Bill, and sketches with Sam. It is harder than Sophie expected to determine which man is her father, and, during “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” and “Voulez-Vous,” she unintentionally leads each man to believe that he is her father and that he will walk her down the wedding aisle.
Spoiler alert: In the end, the audience and Sophie never learn who her biological dad is. Instead, all three agree to be a third of Sophie’s dad. She happily declares, “You know, I have no clue which one of you is my dad, but I don’t mind.” This touching conclusion proves that it is the bond that creates a family, not the blood.
Not only do all three men have wholesome relationships with Sophie, but they form friendships among themselves too. There is no competition between them over Sophie or her mom. In fact, they move as a unit for most of the movie, often partaking in humorous banter with each other as they react to the events of the film. Together, they arrive at the island, sail with Sophie, and sneak into the bachelorette party. It’s refreshing that the writers used the three possible dads as an example of healthy friendship rather than making them fight against each other over Sophie and/or her mom.
Sophie and her mom
Although the premise focuses on Sophie’s relationship with her biological dad, there is actually a large focus on Sophie’s relationship with her mom, Donna Sheridan. Donna raised Sophie alone on the island while running her own hotel as well. Donna states, “It’s not easy being a mother. If it was, fathers would do it.” and “When I got pregnant, my mother told me not to bother coming back. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. My God, look at what we’ve had.” Despite having an unexpected pregnancy at a young age, with no familial support, and the monetary stress that comes from managing her own hotel (cue “Money, Money, Money”), Donna managed to raise Sophie to be a kind and happy young woman.
Both mother and daughter are trying to keep the three possible dads a secret from the other: Sophie doesn’t want Donna to know she invited them until she can determine which one will give her away at the wedding, and Donna doesn’t want Sophie to know her histories with them: “The only thing that matters is that Sophie never finds out…This would be like a bombshell.” This creates a distance between them then later a fight the morning of the wedding. Frustrated, Sophie declares, “You just… You have no idea. You never had a wedding. You never did the marriage-and-babies thing. You just did the baby thing” and “I don’t want my children growing up not knowing who their father is. Because it’s just… It’s crap!”
The day only continues to be stressful as Sophie grapples with her argument with Donna, what she’ll do about the three men walking her down the aisle, and a confrontation from her fiancé about why they’re having the big, white wedding in the first place. Seeing that Sophie’s friends/bridesmaids are nowhere to be found, Donna agrees to help Sophie get ready for the wedding. The musical number of “Slipping Through My Fingers” encapsulates Donna’s feelings about her daughter growing up as she does Sophie’s hair and nails. The endearing, domestic montage shows how close they are, and it is extra special when Sophie asks Donna to walk her down the aisle because it was her mother who was always there for her.
Donna and the dynamos
Another central relationship in Mamma Mia! is the strong female friendship between Donna, Tanya, and Rosie. They are best friends and former band members. In “Money, Money, Money,” Tanya and Rosie both try giving Donna money for the hotel and they encourage her to “grow back down” in the “Dancing Queen” musical number. They wish that Donna would have told them that she actually doesn’t know who Sophie’s dad is so that Donna wouldn’t have to carry her guilt and confusion alone. Along with endlessly supporting each other, they lovingly tease each other throughout the film, like when Donna says, “Great couple of role models you two are for Sophie! A serial bride and a little hermit over here!” Speaking of Sophie, she views her mom’s best friends as her aunts and is thrilled when they all surprise her with a performance at her bachelorette party. It is evident that Sophie loves and looks up to Donna, Tanya, and Rosie.
Romantic relationships
While the friendships and familial bonds are essential to the narrative, this is a wedding movie, so romantic relationships are at play too. Sophie is engaged to Sky, a guy who was traveling to find himself when he met Sophie and stayed on the island for their relationship. Sophie and Sky share a musical number called “Lay All Your Love On Me”,” in which they get flirtatious on the beach. While their love is passionate, this doesn’t mean it’s devoid of problems: When Sky discovers Sophie’s plan involving her dad, he says, “I wanted to take a boat to the mainland with a couple of witnesses. And you insisted on this sodding circus so you could play Happy Family.” He tells her that happiness comes from finding herself, not from finding her dad. Despite the argument, Sky shows up at the ceremony, prepared to marry Sophie. She surprises him by saying, “Sky, let’s just not get married yet. You never wanted this anyway. I know that. Let’s just get off this island… and just see the world.”
The ceremony doesn’t go to waste because Donna marries Sam! Donna’s time with Sam was longer than her flings with Harry and Bill, but it ended when she discovered that Sam was engaged to another woman. Sam admits that he divorced his wife because he never stopped loving Donna. The feelings between them never vanished, as evident by the duet between them about being unable to move on (“SOS”), Donna’s heartbreak ballad right before the ceremony (“The Winner Takes It All”), and Donna and Sam’s song about lovers coming back to each other (“When All Is Said and Done”). It may have taken them a long time to get together, but they are both so happy once they wed.
More characters experience romance in “Take a Chance On Me,” an upbeat musical number during the wedding reception. Rosie convinces Bill to take a chance on her, Tanya is pursued by Sky’s friend, Pepper, Harry embraces a man named Petros. All three couples partake in the final dance number with Donna, Sam, Sophie, Sky, and the rest of the wedding attendees. It’s a happy ending for everybody!
when all is said and done…
…the relationships of Mamma Mia! (2008) come in many forms. There are strong male and female friendships, tight familial bonds (including those not blood-related), and romantic love that overcomes the test of time and obstacles. Love and support from others play a big role in Sophie and Donna being able to make the most of their lives and chase their dreams. So, I encourage you to watch Mamma Mia! with those you love most.