Video: Musical performance of “The Winner Takes It All,” performed by Donna
(Miller 2016)
The lyrics to “The Winner Takes it All” tell the story of the breakdown of a relationship and the lingering feelings that may remain years after the relationship has ended. While the film version takes the song in the direction of a possible reconciliation between Donna and Sam, the stage performance focuses on Donna and her feelings about her only daughter’s upcoming wedding while dealing with her own feelings. Even though this scene is closely recreated in the film to be as close to the stage performance as possible, the stage performance is taken up by Donna’s presence. The song is one of her shining moments in the play, the singer singularly emotionally belting the lyrics out to the audience, trying to convey every emotion through her performance.
Video: Movie performance of “The Winner Takes It All,” performed by Donna and Sam
(Luis 2008)
Craymer’s vision would be brought to life in the duet between Donna and Sam (Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan) as they reminisced about their time together before Sam went back to his fiancé and old life in the UK. The two have reunited in the place they once met (Kalokairi, Greece) and are discussing their past relationship through song. It describes the rollercoaster of emotions throughout their relationship, the past they had together, and maybe the potential for a future together, all of which would add great depth to the film overall. The camera continuously shows Donna as she is singing, but it is very clear to the audience that Sam is right there next to her, a steady presence throughout the song. In the musical, Sam is there before she begins to sing, but fades to the back as Donna has her moment to express her feelings about raising a daughter on her own, left behind by the man she loves.