Question on Mamma Mia that has been bugging me

[m&m's mom]

In the scene on Stellan Starsgard's boat when Collin Firth is talking about what he discovered about himself the previous night do you think he was talking about finding out he was Sophie's Dad or realizing he was gay?
I feel stupid even asking that question cause I have seen the movie 11 times.
It is ambigious probably on purpose but curious about others opinions.

[KSchwagg86]

I thought it was him realizing he was the father, but I could be wrong!

[tekoa]

I don't know the answer, but I just love love love this movie.

[Imzadi]

I also thought it was him realizing he was the father. Whereas, Stellan was thinking Collin was finally realizing he was gay. It was because Stellan says something like, "You didn't have a clue before this?"

Did anyone else who has HBO noticed they didn't show the movie as much as they show other films? I swear I must have (accidentally) watched every time Mamma Mia came on, (just from flipping channels.) But, it seemed to only show for about two weeks and was gone. Meanwhile, crappy movies on HBO hang around for a month or two.

[Kimberle]

I think they tried to "soften" the movie version. I don't care for the way they filmed this scene. In the Broadway play, after he leaves the Island/Donna, he realizes he is gay. Donna was his only female "partner". When he comes back for the wedding, he has a long time partner at home.

[Imzadi]

Originally Posted by Kimberle

I think they tried to "soften" the movie version. I don't care for the way they filmed this scene. In the Broadway play, after he leaves the Island/Donna, he realizes he is gay. Donna was his only female "partner". When he comes back for the wedding, he has a long time partner at home.

That doesn't make sense. If he had a long time partner, he must have realized it before, unless he was on the down low all that time.

[RunningGirl]

Originally Posted by Imzadi

That doesn't make sense. If he had a long time partner, he must have realized it before, unless he was on the down low all that time.

PP means after he left Donna 19 years ago. That's how it is in the stage version.

[Imzadi]

Originally Posted by RunningGirl

PP means after he left Donna 19 years ago. That's how it is in the stage version.

Oh!

I think I need more coffee before I read through detailed stuff.

[JohnsPrincess]

I think Collin was talking about being a father and Stellan was talking about him being gay! This movie competely cracks me up.

I LOVE when "Bill" turns around in the towel and you see his tush!!!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

In the play it is clear through some dialogue that the character knows he is gay (has a partner back in London that he coyly refers to in a benign sort of way so that it isn't clear to other people that he is.)

I haven't seen the movie in quite a while.

They all realize or are told they are Sophie's father at the Bachorette party dance number (after all the boys show up--forget the specific song, in the play it is the final scene of Act I).

I'd have to see the scene again to know what he is talking about on the boat.

[luvmy3]

All I can say about the movie is why in the world did they let Pierce Brosnan sing

[lovesmurfs]

Originally Posted by luvmy3

All I can say about the movie is why in the world did they let Pierce Brosnan sing

[Duchie]

Originally Posted by luvmy3

All I can say about the movie is why in the world did they let Pierce Brosnan sing

I've read a few interviews that he has done, and I think he would totally agree with you.

I agree that in the movie, Collin is talking about being Sofie's father, but Stellen thinks he's talking about being gay. We just watched the movie again on Halloween night (my SIL was here and she hadn't seen it yet) and I was watching that scene pretty closely because I had the same question. I'd love to see the play one of these days.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Originally Posted by Duchie

I've read a few interviews that he has done, and I think he would totally agree with you.

I agree that in the movie, Collin is talking about being Sofie's father, but Stellen thinks he's talking about being gay. We just watched the movie again on Halloween night (my SIL was here and she hadn't seen it yet) and I was watching that scene pretty closely because I had the same question. I'd love to see the play one of these days.

Another point--the boat scene is not in the play. That song actually occurs in the Taverna I think in the play.

And now that you guys keep discussing it, I think you are right about one thinking he is sofie's father and the other thinking he is gay (probably by observation as he isn't outed until the end of the movie and stage show).

And Pierce---I don't know what they were thinking since they were bringing a stage musical to the movie screen. I mean--Hugh Jackman, hello that would have worked!

[mill4023]

I actually loved this movie, even after seeing the show on Broadway, but it is also easy to make fun of.

If you're easily offended by adult language, don't click this link.
If a few f words don't bother you, I thought this was hilarious.
http://www.the-editing-room.com/mammamia.html

There's a section about the scene on the boat and even though it's making fun of the movie, it still gives an idea of what each of the characters were talking about. That scene actually reminded me of Threes Company, where almost all the humor came from misunderstanding and taking conversations in the wrong context.

COLIN FIRTH
I will now engage you in one-sided misunderstood banter wherein I explain that I might be Amanda Seyfried’s father, but you infer I’m a homosexual. This is supposed to be hilarious, except at the end you find out I’m gay anyway, so this makes no sense.

STELLAN SKARSGARD
Oi! And I will explain to you that I think I’m Amanda’s father, but no one will ever have a clue just what you infer from me, and it’s never explained again. You might think I’m talking about *** Julie Walters or Meryl or my 20 year old possible daughter with huge tracts of land, or possibly that I’m just expressing how much I enjoy Vegemite.