The young owner of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel states that his establishment has a great future because there are countries that don't want any old people around. It was a moment that struck me as brutally honest and heartbreaking at the same time. Unfortunately "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" doesn't have enough moments like that. But despite the rather old-fashioned sensibility of the film and its desire to sacrifice realism for clichés, I simply couldn't dislike this movie. The cast is first rate. Judi Dench and Tom Wilkinson are excellent as a widower seeking independence and a judge returning to India in search of forgiveness. Maggie Smith is a contentious bigot; Bill Nighy is the wimpy husband of harpy Penelope Wilton and Ronald Pickup and Celia Imrie are lonely singles trying to prove they haven't lost it. Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) is the frantic dreamer who believes he can make a success of the rundown hotel he inherits from his father. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" is a mixed bag. The predictable script made me flinch once or twice but I enjoyed the performances and the Indian scenery and cinematography enough to recommend it.
Review of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
