This is why Mamma Mia! is THE feminist film we've all been waiting for
When Mamma Mia! hit our screens ten years ago (feel old yet?), expectations of pure cheese, glitter, spandex and all the feel-good hits were met to the highest degree. Yet, almost unexpectedly what viewers found dominated the foundations of ‘Mamma Mia’ was its strong feminist message.
From focusing on the importance of female friendships, to mother-daughter relationships and most importantly, female sexuality, the film became more than a just a cult chick flick. It solidified itself as a love poem to all women out there, encouraging them to embrace and enjoy being independent, sexual, strong beings and not to be ashamed of it.
And ‘Mamma Mia! here we go again’ defiantly DOES go there again and arguably even more so. I mean, the film even opens with an epic female kiss to ‘When I Kissed a Teacher’ - the 70s original.
This sequel is not only 2 hours of pure joy but is a film which is SO important to share with this millennial generation. In a time where our young people are constantly highly sexualised by the media, yet cannot express their sexuality themselves without being criticised, this film provides the important message of ‘who cares?’, as long as you are happy (and preferably singing along to an ABBA hit), it’s only you who has the right to judge your decisions.
Yes, Donna meets three men on her travels to Greece. Yes, she sleeps with all three of them along the way. But no, this does not make her a slut. For years now we’ve put Bond on a pedestal for being the world-saving lothario that he displays. Even most recently in this year's Love Island, we have seen Adam work his way through a series of girls with little to no fuss, yet when Megan decides to play the game, she faces major backlash for being a ‘slut’, ‘promiscuous’ even a ‘home wrecker’.
How refreshing it is to see a major feature film that does not hesitate to display that, shock horror, women do sleep with more than one person and in doing so, they can remain a respectable, fun-loving individual. The film not only displays female sexuality in a positive way but encourages it in a happy and healthy way. No emphasis on numbers, no slut-shaming, just a young happy woman having a good time and not apologising for it.
When going to see a Mamma Mia! film, leaving the cinema belting out of tune to all the hits and smiling ear to ear is a promise - and of course, this film delivers 110%. But also, be prepared to leave feel empowered, carefree and ready to take life by the horns with a smile on your face - exactly the way Donna does. I know when I was sitting in that cinema all I could I think was "wow this woman is living her life with no care for others judgement and loving every second of it." I think we can all learn a thing or two from Donna and boy, I know I want to.
There’s a reason this film, as it stands, has one of the best ratios for a sequel on Rotten Tomatoes – it brings so much more than it promises and Mamma Mia! will have you feeling good.
SKYSUMMER SUITING
While Sophie Sheridan may not have been the instigator of the summer suit, she sure pulled off a belter with this sand-coloured tie-waist number. Into it. V Stella McCartney.
SKYTIERED TULLE
There is nothing more fun than tulle. Fact. And this emerald green number worn by Tanya Chesham-Leigh is giving us all the Giambattista vibes.
SKYOVERALLS
Okay, so Donna may not have worn the world's first overall, but every time we see one, we think of her. That's the definition of a trailblazer, no?
SKYPRINTED MIDIS
Donna running down the beach in this printed midi dress is all the Zimmermann holiday inspo we need right now.
GRECIAN EMBROIDERY
Every bit our boho style icon, Donna's less-cited but no-less-iconic embroidered day dresses are every inch the cool-girl picture. In 2018, you should look to the likes of Lee Pfayfer and Temperley London.
