If you’re looking for a delightful romp through girlhood, a fancifully fun summer film or a hit for your ABBA addiction, “Mamma Mia” is the movie for you.

Set in Greece and to the melodic tones of the Swedish super-group ABBA, this cheerful chick flick is a charming piece for all ages. The film, based on the hit Broadway musical, tells the familiar story of a girl with three (possible) fathers. She’s getting married and needs someone to give her away at the wedding, so she does the only logical thing and invites all the possible fathers. Who will she pick? The hilarity (and plot) ensues.

Meryl Streep and the spontaneous Colin Firth (cue the swooning) both give outstanding performances, paving the way in the all-around well-acted flick. The male groom-to-be, played by Dominic Cooper, has a tough time holding his own against such seasoned actors, but his main song sequence is pretty splendid.

The production values are top-notch, with gorgeous views of the Greek land and seascapes. While there are no flashy explosions or sex scenes, the film has a few well cut sequences, such as when Streep dreams for more “Money, Money, Money.” Fellas can pick up some advice on how to (not) pick up a girl from “Does Your Mother Know.”

Since the film is adapted from a musical, the songs take center stage. Luckily, the singing is generally good, with the exception of Pierce Brosnan, who was likely picked for the role more for looks than singing ability.

As for plot, for a storyline conceived primarily from a desire to put most of ABBA’s music into one piece, it’s pretty good. The film won’t win any awards for its screenplay, but the scenes, especially those involving the Dynamos, Streep’s backup singers and the Greek chorus (a group of inhabitants of the island), are very enjoyable. Some of the flashbacks, especially how the “fathers” looked and acted back in the day, are well thought-out and especially funny.

The film is female-driven and empowering. Streep’s character illustrates that a woman can operate a business herself, without a man’s help. Her backup singers, the Dynamos, are a little boy-crazy, but demonstrate that they very much care about Streep and her family. Still, men, don’t despair — the movie doesn’t bash male-hood, but rather emphasizes women and provides for some innocent, decent fun that is a refreshing departure from many other portrayals of women in the media marketplace today.

The film is true to its word about being “Greek.” No, there isn’t much Greek spoken (although if you’re not familiar with ABBA, then this movie might be Greek to you), but the film tips its hat to Ancient Greek drama. One might imagine that a film featuring the work of a ‘70s-era disco superpower might shy away from dramatic tradition, but oddly enough there a few aspects that stay true to its theatrical roots. The action, much like in the ancient works, takes place in less than 24 hours. There are incestuous overtones in one dialog with the daughter and a possible father which are gross enough to make one conjure up images of Oedipus.

Perhaps most importantly, the film makes use of a chorus consisting of residents of the island on which the action occurs. The chorus in Greek theater was made up of citizens of the polis who were essentially observers and commentators of the action being preformed on stage. Sophocles even utilized the chorus to express moral and social attitudes, especially those from the gods. The fact that the chorus is used in “Mamma Mia” to not only sing backup, but also to comment, observe and provide some cues to the actors’ emotions is highly reminiscent of the Greek traditions. The fact that the chorus is seen late in the film as gods in the sky, with one even holding Poseidon’s Trident, cements this connection.

Mamma Mia is an excellent movie to see with a date, and especially great for a girls’ night out. I love ABBA—and the film is very much about ABBA. But it is not a “guy” movie. Be sure to stay till the end of the film to see some flashy end-credit gems sure to get you up and dancing.