When I was about ten years old, my mother and I went to the theater to see a movie that we were both extremely excited about "Mamma Mia." From the extravagant choreography to the catchy songs and even the storylines, we loved watching musicals and had a feeling that this one was going to be just as good, if not better, than the others. While we both had different expectations for the movie (neither of which I remember), we both knew that seeing it was going to be a moment that we would cherish for a lifetime.
As I was watching the film and enjoying the songs and dance numbers, I couldn't help but notice how devoted Donna was in making sure that Sophie had the perfect wedding day. It was through this kind of mother-daughter relationship that I began to see parts of my own mother in Donna. I began to think of all those times that my mom took off from work to take me to dance class or watch my games. I thought of all the times that she drove me to school and made sure that I had food to eat and a roof over my head. I thought of all those times that despite having a "million and one things to do," as she always says, she always tried her best to take care of me and my brother.
While my mother and I had our minor disagreements when I was a kid, watching this movie was the start of something new for us. Our love for the movie "Mamma Mia" was now something else we had in common besides not being the best at math, having the same zodiac sign, and too many other personality traits to count. We talked about how much we liked Donna and Sophie, how funny we thought Donna's friends were, and how we wanted to know who Sophie's biological father was. So, when we found out there was going to be a sequel, we thought we would follow this tradition.
Ten years later, on my 20th birthday, I decided to go out in the pouring rain to see the prequel/sequel "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again." However, I didn't see the movie with my mother; I saw it with my friends. Now, as soon as I told her that I was going with my friends, I immediately felt awful and almost didn't want to go. Once she found out that the movie was being released, she told me that we needed to go see it together just like we did with the first one. Nevertheless, we decided that we should go see the movie another time.
Now, whether or not you've seen the second movie, you probably already know that Meryl Streep's character Donna is no longer alive. And while many people (including myself) were deeply upset about Donna being killed off, seeing the second movie further showed how much Donna and Sophie loved and appreciated each other. The determination that Sophie has to make her mother proud even after her passing by keeping up with family traditions is something that is extremely relatable to viewers.
However, the scene that reminded me of the time I saw this movie with my mother was the final scene, where Sophie wishes that Donna was present for one of the most important moments in her life: her pregnancy and birth of her child. During that scene, I was reminded of the sacrifices my mother has continuously made to make sure that I have a better life and how I wanted to someday be there for her just as much as she was there for me. It was at this point in the film that I realized how much I take for granted the things that my mother has done for me without me realizing it. And although it is upsetting that Donna of the iconic fictional girl group Donna and the Dynamos died, this movie shows the eternal bond between a mother and daughter that will never be tarnished by death.
