yesterday i left the house to do the only thing that would keep my face from literally melting off onto the floor- i went to see a move in a place that would surely be colder than the 2 feet directly in front of our air conditioner. batman was of course the main attraction so i thought, since ac was working at home, i would go see the one movie i knew i could never drag him to: mamma mia! i didn’t expect to enjoy the movie but thought it might be fun to sing along to abba songs in a chilly room for 2 hours. but man was i wrong! in addition to feeling so chilly i needed a scarf (hooray!) i loved the movie and found myself surrounded (visually) by screens full- chock-full- of colorful josef frank fabrics. as if the costumes and gorgeous greek island backdrops weren’t already a feast for the eyes- there are literally josepf frank fabrics in nearly every shot (as a nod to abba’s homeland perhaps?).
there’s a fantastic sequence in beginning with fabrics drying outside (which meryl streep runs throgh) and then there’s an entire fantasy boat sequence with josef frank fabric as the main backdrop- including those “shot from above” scenes where you just see meryl and the fabric. and as if that wasn’t enough- there’s even a series of lounge chairs upholstered in his fabric in the beach song scene (with christine baranski). if you’re looking for some summer fun and a little textile-porn i highly suggest finding an extra 2 hours to squeeze in this movie. i came in expecting to have a little sing-song fun but left with my head FULL of gorgeous fabrics and upholstery ideas (as well as a few choice abba songs that are on permanent repeat now).
30 Comments
we planned to go this week, so now i am really excited to see this! meryl streep and joesf frank on the same screen!
Great description! I’m ready to run out and see it this morning.
your post just made me email all my GF’s for a friday girls movie nite!
It hasn’t arrived here yet, but I’m putting my feet in the starting blocks immediately! Thanks for the hot tip.
Speaking of Josef Frank fabrics, is anyone as horrified as I am by Pottery Barn’s awful knock off Frank fabrics in their latest catalog?
Hooray! So, I have to admit, I didn’t *need* another excuse to go see this. I can’t wait to grab a few girlfriends and go. Now, though, I have even more reason.
I’ve heard the singing took away from the movie and made it shudderingly horrible. So many people have told me that that I’m almost ready to not go. What do you think?
gina
no way! i actually prefer many of meryl streep’s song versions to the originals- they have such an interesting tone to them. and amanda seyfried has one heck of a voice on her.
if you dont expect much other than a fun, silly (and pretty to look at) movie you won’t be dissapointed. i hated the very first song of the movie but after that it was really enjoyable ;)
grace
I’ve never gone to see a movie just for the textiles (!) but this might just pull me in, even though it’s gotten such bad reviews. It definitely looks fun!
(And yes, Caroline, I was also appalled when I saw PB’s sorry knockoffs!)
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I’m sure I’ll have to go alone. My husband will NEVER see that movie. :-)
And I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I actually like Pottery Barn’s “knockoffs” much better than the Josef Frank originals. For obvious reasons, the colors are fresher and more current.
Yeah Gina–don’t worry about the singing. Meryl Streep has a great voice. I too prefer her voice to the originals in many of the songs. Pierce Brosnan isn’t exactly the James Bond of singing, but he’s the worst and he still carries the tune and pulls it off. I loved it.
The Josef Frank fabric is amazing, but any ideas about the bedspread in the picture above? I wrote to Apartment Therapy about it but no luck so far.
I know it’s similar to Otomi textiles, but does anyone know where I could find something similar that won’t cost an arm and a leg?
I went to see this on Saturday in Portland and LOVED it too (but I too had loooow expectations). Meryl Streep looks AMAZING, too.
My friends used to try and persuade me that any film they wanted to see had either good frocks or big hats. Usually they were lying. I’m willing to change my viewing habits entirely just to see a film which has had a rave review of its use of fabric! thanks!
i KNEW i could count on you to know where those lovely fabrics came from!! i just saw the movie this weekend and LOVED it…lots of design eye candy!
I went to see the movie with some girlfriends on Satuday night. i was surprisingly pleased. and one of the first things i said after we got out was “what awesome fabrics!”
of course, the next thiing was “Pierce Bronson’s chest is STILL looking good”
i was happy that they didn’t choose younger, perkier actresses. They chose women who looked their ages and would have actually remembered the words to ABBA. Some of the songs are silly, and i laughed out loud during a lot of the scenes. give it a try, you really might have a good time. we did!
I absolutely loved this movie also but didn’t know where the fabrics were from – thanks for sharing. The interiors were just amazing – almost as good as the coastline.
the film is so much fun, don’t look for perfection just enjoy the “love for life” vibe to it. Thank you for that fabric tip off! They are amazing!
I loved this movie! It is worth every penny and I would go see it again. And the scenery is beautiful…Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth included. ha!
Like Susie, I am also really interested in the bedspread. I keep on thinking it is Moroccan, due to the gazelles? If anyone knows more?
great information. I saw the movie and loved it, especially for the visual experience. Would never have known anything about Joseph Frank textiles. Thanks
Saw Mamma Mia! last night w/ my 10 year old daughter and I laughed much more than she did – although she loved it – especially the ending and the music. As for the bedspread above – look for something embroidered in cross-stitch. They do a lot of it in Greece and Turkey – I’m guessing it was vintage/antique. They do pop up if you keep your eyes open.
I guess I’m the odd one out but I thought the movie was laughably bad.
I was expecting a lot more from such a solid cast and high budget production, and the rest of the audience agreed with me as we all laughed everytime they broke out into song (and not in a good way)
The textiles were the only bright spot – loved the colours!!
AHHHH thank you soooo much! I’ve been searching google for “greece fabrics” and every other descriptor I could think of to find more fabrics like that.
Now I just need to win the lottery so I can go buy some! :)
Loved the colours and fabrics, does anyone know where the bedspread came from? would love to know like some of your other writers.
I add myself to the perpetual-searchers-of-the-bedspread!
Hi,
I think the bedspread design is Swedish . I saw that sort of thing when on holiday there – very cool. The Josef Frank fabric is better in real life – hideously expensive if you buy it from Liberty in London, UK
Hi,
if you are interested in Josef Frank fabrics please visit our website
http://www.justscandinavian.com
try Sarajo textiles for the type of embroidered bedspread. or marlamallet.com
Please Please Please!!!!! I WANT sheets/comforter like the scene “From above” with Meryl Streep and the lounge coverings. I fell in LOVE with that design and I’ve been combing the internet looking for something even remotely close…Any suggestions?
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