Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

What happens when you put seven of Britain’s acting elite in one film? You get a truly moving cinema experience.

Director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, Mrs Brown) is known for getting great performances from his actors. Judi Dench, Geoffrey Rush and Gwyneth Paltrow are just three Oscar noteworthy examples Madden has directed to gain such status.

Seven British pensioners are coming towards the end of some event in their lives. Lovers have died, some have finished their long-term jobs and some find themselves in a world different from the one they knew.

Whatever the occasion, Evelyn, Graham, Douglas and Jean, Muriel, Norman and Madge find themselves embarking on a final adventure to India to stay at what is advertised as ‘the best exotic marigold hotel’.

Initially strangers, some are forced to support others as they encounter a culture extremely different from their comfortable British ways. Bigotry and racism stop some from experiencing Indian culture. Some seek out past lives while some seek out new life.

The actors’ abilities are astounding and I never felt bored during this film. To match their talent was a screenplay so articulate and eloquent in the English language that I tried to remember the last time I heard anyone speak like that. Needless to say, we live in a different world in which social media, text language and emoticons dictate our lives.

A lot, and I mean a lot, of older reviewers are dismissing this film and I don’t understand why. The audience I was with thoroughly enjoyed it and laughed continuously throughout. It has that feel-good factor mixed with what I assume to be genuine stories of an older generation that still wants to have something, to not be forgotten and to still live in the now.

This film delivers a way to see life that is simplified and away from all the hogwash around us. I will be buying the DVD when it comes out. I give this film 5 out of 5.

124 mins
PG-13
Director: John Madden
Screenplay: Ol Parker
Based on the novel These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach
Cast: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Dev Patel, Maggie Smith

INFO: Kylan Luke-McKeen is a Star Observer contributor. His website is at www.kylanmckeen.com

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