Lloyd's comments are a reminder that it's not only Sophie who has identity issues. Rosie describes herself as a 'lone wolf', but that seems to be as much because of her lack of confidence in herself as a genuine desire to be independent. Bill is also a loner, but what drives him to seek adventure on his own rather than in the company of others? Harry, once evidently capable of great spontaneity, has become a restrained, up-tight businessman. Sam has spent two decades lamenting a lost love and is now the wrong side of a marriage.
And Donna, left to bring up a baby alone, not knowing which of the three men she loved and lost is the father, struggling to make ends meet and to look after the hotel. Now she is about to lose, at least in some extent, the daughter who has also been her closest friend through some difficult times. Meryl Streep says that Mamma Mia! is, 'all about past mistakes - your big fat regrets, your dreams, your hopes, your happiness - right there where you live.'
It is inevitable in a film like this that everyone lives happily ever after, and of course problems are overcome. Colin Firth remarks, 'There's a real tenderness about the notion of these three grizzled, middle-aged men who find out there's more to their lives than they thought.'
This joyful overcoming of obstacles is a large part of what makes Mamma Mia! such an uplifting film: they are all winners. The audience needs to rejoice with these characters discovering their happiness. When life, for many of us, is burdened by difficult circumstances, personal hang-ups or unrequited affection, we need stories like this that celebrate resolution, fulfilment and true love.
Once again, the message seems to be that you need to go with what feels right, discover who you really are, and go for what you really want. The problem is that this puts the emphasis on each individual doing whatever is necessary to achieve his or her personal happiness. It is ultimately self-absorbed and individualist, and while there are no losers in Mamma Mia!, there are in real life if we follow this course.
In the real world, our personal happiness doesn't magically coincide with the happiness of everyone else. Maybe personal happiness isn't actually the best thing to be seeking; it can be a very fickle thing, after all.
Paradoxically, we often find our deepest satisfaction in bringing happiness to others. And ultimately, happiness in this world will always be tainted and compromised because life is hard, bad things happen and people easily slip into selfishness. This life will always disappoint. Total happiness, complete fulfilment and the perfect expression of love will only be in found relationship with God in the new heavens and the new earth.
We can begin to experience it now, however, through Jesus Christ, and it radically changes our perspectives on ourselves and on others. It deals with our past mistakes and our 'big, fat regrets', and it clarifies our dreams and our happiness. It makes us seek the best for others, brings us real satisfaction, and gives us the clear sense of identity we long for. This really is an epic story.
This article was first published on Damaris' Culturewatch website (www.culturewatch.org) - used with permission.
© Copyright Tony Watkins (2008)
