There was a moment watching the film of Mamma Mia! - and only a moment because I wouldn't want you to think I wasn't concentrating - when my thoughts turned from Abba to the Spice Girls.

And while I am not sure they would thank me for it, the reason was the triumvirate of Judy Craymer, who had the brainwave of a musical based on Abba songs, Catherine Johnson, the writer, and Phyllida Lloyd, the director.

Because if you're talking girl power, forget the Mels and Posh. These are your women.

They have all become millionaires on the back of a stage show that has become a worldwide business since it premiered in 1999.

Wealth is handy if, like Johnson, you have written a lot for theatre, or like Lloyd, you maintain heavyweight credentials directing Wagner for the English National Opera. Neither career path is lucrative in the manner of a blockbuster musical; both are possible with some cash behind you.

And they are about to repeat the trick with the movie version, premiering tonight. I'm not a critic but if there is anything set to be critic-proof this summer, this is it. It is fun, preposterous and had me laughing out loud as I watched again how well-known Abba songs are welded into a multi-layered plot of loves, won and lost.

I think you can tell it's made by women, most probably for women - even though that should not deter a single game male. (I just know the chances of persuading my beloved to see it are less than zero.)

Some of the joy is in the detail. Women nationwide swooned when Colin Firth emerged dripping wet in a clinging wet shirt in Pride and Prejudice – so the trio have cast him and make him do it all over again for Mia.

The whole shebang is a hoot. Pierce Brosnan apparently joined the cast because he once fancied a young fellow thesp Meryl Streep. He can’t really sing but he’s passable and funny and it really doesn’t matter – Streep can. I had always been a Streep-sceptic until now. But she blasts Dancing Queen with the gusto of a pro and looks like she's having the time of her life. No one should take turquoise spandex and feather boas too seriously – and the cast’ don’t.

And Mamma Mia! wins because it's got its priorities right. However long I live, I will never get around to believing that Manolos really matter. So I never entirely bought into Sex and the City.

But having your family with you for the big occasions in life and partying like it's 2099 - well that's the recipe for happiness.

Isn't it?

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