Jackson Booth-Millard
From the makers of the StreetDance movies, I found out later that the film was set to a soundtrack of popular 1980s songs, I was hoping for something worthwhile. Basically it opens with Taylor (Hannah Arterton, Gemma's sister) and her boyfriend Raf (Giulio Berruti) by the sea, Raf wants to stay in Italy with Taylor, but she wants to go to university. Three years later, Taylor goes on holiday to Puglia ("Holiday" - Madonna), her sister Maddie (Annabel Scholey), who went there following the break-up from her boyfriend Doug (Greg Wise), is there with their friend Lil (Katy Brand). Taylor is shocked when Maddie tells her she is getting married in two days, Taylor tells Lil that she does want to rekindle the relationship she had three years ago. Taylor goes down to the and reunites with her friend Elena (The X Factor winner Leona Lewis) and her boyfriend Enrico (Giulio Corso), as well as her friend Mikey (Danny Kirrane). Then she spots Raf, and follows him ("How Will I Know?" - Whitney Houston), before falling right in front of him, he is about to greet her, when Maddie interrupts and kisses him, revealing that Raf is Maddie's fiancé. Taylor pretends that she has never met Raf or the others, but Elena thinks she should tell Maddie the truth, Taylor says she would prefer to keep it secret and not worry Maddie. Later that night, the group go to dinner, Raf makes a speech about Maddie, Taylor tries to disguise her tears, then Maddie makes a speech ("The Power of Love" - Huey Lewis and the News). Taylor goes outside, Raf follows her, they say their relationship is "weird", Raf wants to tell Maddie about their relationship three years ago, but Taylor refuses, to protect Maddie and to not be made to feel like a fool. The next day, Maddie sends Raf and Taylor to sort out their clothes and the rings, Raf and Taylor argue about the past, they refer to their feelings; Elena, Mikey and Enrico overhear them, it is hinted the pair still have feelings for each other. Meanwhile, Doug turns up and surprises Maddie, he tells her he made a mistake breaking up with and wants her back, she declines, but he tries to persuade her ("Don't You Want Me" - The Human League). Maddie agrees to have dinner with Doug as a "final farewell", Elena and Enrico are discussing Taylor's secret by the pool, as Maddie walks in, she finds out Elena has a secret, Elena panics and tells her she is pregnant. Raf and Taylor return from wedding preparations, Taylor finds out about Doug and Maddie's dinner, an argument ensues, the others break up the argument, taking Taylor to the tomato festival ("Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves), while Maddie is pampered for her hen night. After the festival, Raf and Taylor spend time by the sea ("Eternal Flame" - The Bangles), they almost kiss, but Taylor runs away, thinking of Maddie, Raf chases after her and demands to know if she has any feelings for him and to discuss what happened between them on beach. Maddie walks in and her hen party guests led by Elena and Lil surprise Raf and Taylor are arguing, Taylor is forced to reveal that Raf was her old love from her past Puglia holiday, but she lies and says she has no feelings for him, upset Raf says the same. After Lil kicks Raf out, the girls go out on the hen night, dressed up ("Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper); the boys do the same ("The Wild Boys" - Duran Duran). Taylor leaves the party, contemplating her true feelings for Raf ("It Must Have Been Love" - Roxette), he sings along in another part of Puglia on his stag do, Taylor realises she still loves him, and decides to leave to avoid destroying Maddie and Raf's relationship. While Taylor leaves for the airport, Doug is back waiting for Maddie, she realises he is still trying to woo her again, she plays out that they are going to have sex ("Faith" - George Michael), but she pushes him in the swimming pool, after which he reappears holding engagement ring, which confuses Maddie. The next morning, Lil finds Taylor at the airport, she says she needs to let go of Raf, her relationship with her sister is more important, Taylor agrees, and they go to the wedding. Lil and Taylor are late, Maddie also wakes up late, she hugs a picture of Raf, he meanwhile has been duct taped to a tree next to a nunnery, but everyone congregates at the church ("White Wedding" - Billy Joel), Maddie and Taylor reconcile before heading inside. At the altar, Doug stands objecting to Raf and Maddie's marriage, but Maddie tells him to sit down, Maddie then realises he is not truly in love with her, she says he deserves better, Raf leaves, but Taylor pursues him to apologize ("If I Could Turn Back Time" - Cher), at first is does not work, but Raf eventually joins Taylor on the rooftop, Taylor tells him she loves him, and they kiss. Later on the beach, Elena admits she actually is pregnant, Enrico is overjoyed, Lil hints to Mikey she has feelings for him, Taylor and Maddie reconcile, Doug interrupts them, Lil and Taylor strap him into a hang glider, he screams as he flown up, the entire cast perform together ("Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" - Wham!) and the film ends. The cast are all fine, the songs chosen for the scenes do work well, and I admit I couldn't help but sing along, it obviously wanted to cash in with the same success as Mamma Mia!, it is a predictable, cheesy and not always funny, but it is charming and feel-good enough to go along with, a reasonably fun musical romantic comedy. Worth watching!
LiveLoveLead
FUN, FUN, FUN!!! This whimsical, musical rom-com has an adorable (and hot) cast, great music from the 80's and lots of cheesy giggles. It may not have the A-list cast, but If you enjoyed 'Mama Mia' you'll like this. Some people dis the singing, and although it wasn't Grammy award winning, it was just fine for this kind of venue. (some of Mama Mia's vocals were worse, lol) It's more about the energy, dancing, and playfulness during the song numbers. Like when you and your friends burst out singing to the radio. With beautiful Italy for the backdrop and lots of fun costumes, this is a predictable but vibrant, enjoyable, summer chick-flick. For all the great songs and warm fuzzy feelings, this gets 7stars in My Humble Opinion. (2017 second time I've watched it)
