Lawrence J. Mango-Kraemer

Title: A Heartfelt Journey Through “Mamma Mia” - A Movie That Hits Close to Home Review: It took me over a decade to find the courage to revisit the movie Mamma Mia! (2008). For 11 long years, I avoided it, not because I didn’t love it, but because it was my Aunt Mary’s favorite movie. My aunt was a vibrant soul who adored ABBA – she had their music on cassette tapes, CDs, and played it frequently, right alongside her other favorite, Bon Jovi. When Mamma Mia! premiered, she was over the moon with excitement. She had props, memorabilia, and would watch it countless times in theaters. Once it was released on DVD, she made sure to have more than one copy, just in case. It wasn’t just a movie to her; it was an experience, a celebration of life and music. We would watch it together often, and soon it became my favorite too. Sadly, my Aunt Mary passed away in 2011 after a brave battle with Fallopian tube cancer, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Her passing left a void that I struggled to fill, and since then, I couldn’t bring myself to watch the movie that once brought us so much joy. I could still listen to some of the songs, but the thought of watching Mamma Mia! was too overwhelming. Then, unexpectedly, I decided to give it another try. I sat down to watch it with my husband, Beaux, but as soon as it reached the song performed by Meryl Streep and the British actor (about an hour and 22 minutes into the film), I completely broke down. It hit me so hard that I couldn’t bear to continue and asked Beaux to turn it off. I found myself sobbing uncontrollably, overwhelmed by a wave of memories and emotions. After some time, I gathered myself and eventually fell asleep. I woke up hours later, still haunted by that emotional moment, but determined to face it. I decided to give the movie another try. From the very first song, tears began to flow, and I wasn’t sure if I could make it through. The memories of watching it with my aunt made it so much more than just a movie – it became a vivid reminder of the love, laughter, and music we shared. Watching Mamma Mia! after all these years was a profoundly emotional experience. It reminded me of the bond I had with my aunt, the joy we shared, and the heartbreak of losing her. This movie isn’t just a film to me – it’s a reflection of love, loss, and the bittersweet nature of cherished memories. If you’ve ever associated a movie with a loved one, you might understand the power it holds. Mamma Mia! will always be a beautiful, heartbreaking reminder of my Aunt Mary, and though it’s hard, I’m grateful to have these memories to hold onto.