The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

To me, this movie is perfection.

So much average

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Sweet and naive J.Dench or sour - faced cynical M.Smith?That is the question. Both these formidable ladies play to their strengths here,comfortably stealing the film without breaking sweat. Although messrs Nighy and Pickup deliver their customary performances they are whistling into the wind. This is a slight tale of British pensioners retiring to live in India. Some find it Iiberating,,others vexing. There is nothing particularly entertaining or surprising on show but it is unobjectionable,almost soporific in tone. Quite why "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" has attracted such attention is not obvious to me. The apparent popularity of "Bollywood" to the main stream may account for this fascination,coupled with a jollop of post - colonial guilt . I can't help feeling that a more accurate picture of the British abroad can be gauged from "Benidorm". What The Garveys would make of Jaipur might be very different.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a wonderful, amusing and heart warming film. It's good to see a film where the majority of the cast are over 30, and the older people aren't just there as part of the scenery.This film is the reason I plan to spend my twilight years in India. The scenery in the film is breathtaking and it's great seeing the characters gradually warm to their new surroundings.I love how the characters all band together to make their new home more pleasant.Maggie Smith is on top form as usual and I particularly liked seeing Ronald Pickup in this film, having seen him in Waiting for Godot shortly before this film was released.

As I'm under the age of 70 I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did. In fact it was actually very brilliant. The main characters lives became intertwined seamlessly and each had their own individual perspective on life. A greater more talented British cast I have not seen. When they were all thrust together through circumstance they morphed into one well-rounded personality with the ability to develop into content adults. Maggie Smith and Judi Dench were particularly fantastic.While the cast of characters carry the movie the absolutely stunning backdrop of India sends it over the top. The vibrancy of the setting creates a fun and lively adventure for the viewer. It also seems like a perfect place to find oneself, which leaves you feeling motivated and inspired.

Well, this movie is quite something, I'll tell you that. The start of the film is just amazing, introducing us to the main characters. You have characters in every film, but the films I most love is where there are multiple characters from different walks of life, most of whom have never met each other before.So there's Evelyn, Graham, Douglas and Jean, Muriel, Madge and Norman. Norman was my least favourite, despite providing some comedic moments. Madge was slightly more entertaining, but with a somewhat...lacking personality. Douglas and Jean had such a difficult relationship, and even though I felt forced, their part of the plot was the most entertaining which included my favourite scene. Graham was great, and originally I thought he would end up with Jean, but it was revealed he was gay and then he died. Of a heart condition, not because he was gay. Muriel was my favourite character, because she had the most personality. She was relatable, realistic and sharp. It was great watching her, and Maggie Smith's portrayal was absolutely perfect. She drew me in from her first line.Evelyn, however, was the protagonist, narrating the film in parts. We went on a journey with her, and explored her emotions. Like Muriel, and Graham, she had a prominent back-story which elevated her character and made her more popular with audiences, including me.Then there was Sonny, owner of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. He was funny, had a girlfriend who was also a great character, and an unbearable mother who made me hate her when she came on-screen.Overall, I just love the characters and cannot praise this film enough for a perfect mixture of brilliant storytelling and amazing acting.