I didn't see the original musical, so I have nothing to compare the film to. However, the entire film looked half-baked from the direction to the choreography. Also, Meryl Streep was horribly miscast in this part. It was too much of a stretch of the imagination to believe that Colin Firth was a love interest for her -- in her youth!? I would not suggest this movie to anyone - including a die hard ABBA fan.