Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Here we go again, it’s my favourite film from 2018.  Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a sequel to the 2008 hit Mamma Mia, a romantic comedy musical based on ABBA songs.

Here We Go Again is definitely a darker film.  Spoiler Alert, Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep) has passed away.  The movie follows a young Donna (Lily James) as she graduates and has three loves which causes her pregnancy and ultimately the real love of her life, her daughter Sophie.  We continue to switch back and forth to the present day where Sophie proceeds to reopen Donna’s hotel, despite disagreements and setbacks.  The movie climaxes with a grand opening party for the hotel which includes a surprise guest, Ruby Sheridan or Sophie’s grandmother (Cher).

For me the real climax is when Sophie learns she is pregnant and ultimately has her baby christened.  The film switches back to Donna having her child christened and Meryl Streep appears and sings My Love My Life to Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as it switches back to the present day.  Yes, definitely a tear jerker.

The movie has received mostly positive reviews, but I think the initial surprise of Donna’s death definitely has resulted in some mixed reviews.  However, I urge anyone to take a second screening as the movie has only grown for me.  The timelessness of ABBA mixed with a powerful story that really highlights the realities of life.  In some senses it is sugarcoated but behind the sugar is fortified grown up vegetables.

It is no wonder it is my favourite film from 2018.