Movie Review: “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”

Last week, I turned down the lights, slipped a DVD into the player and watched with intrigue how seven seniors “outsourced” their retirement to a resort in India.

What movie did I watch, you ask? The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Deb Patel, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup, and Celia Imrie. Based on Deborah Moggach’s novel, These Foolish Things, this movie was heart-warming, funny, and touching.

The screenplay was written by Ol Parker, and the movie was directed by John Madden, who also directed Shakespeare in Love.

Photo Credit: http://moviecarpet.com

This movie was laced with romance, drama, and just enough comedy to keep you watching through to the end. It tells the story of seven cash-strapped seniors who decide to outsource their retirement to a resort in India. These retirees develop friendships, find love, lose love, grieve, and end up thriving in India.

Evelyn Greenslade’s (Judi Dench) husband passed away and she had to sell her house in order to pay off his debts. She moved to India and got a job.

Graham Dashwood (Tom Wilkinson) was a judge. He retired to India to find a long-lost love.

Douglas and Jean Ainslie (Billy Nighy and Penelope Wilton) invested in their daughter’s web/internet business and couldn’t afford retirement living in the UK (or wherever they’re from). Douglas takes in everything India has to offer, while Jean resists and complains about everything.

Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) needs hip replacement, but the wait time and the cost in the UK are too long and her doctor suggests a less expensive, quicker option – have surgery in India.

Norman Cousins (Ronald Pickup) has been looking for love in all the wrong places, so he ventures to India to find love. Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) is also looking for love. She wants to meet and maybe marry a wealthy man. Both she and Norman join a high society club in order to meet other singles.

Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) has high hopes for the run-down Marigold hotel. It was his father’s dream to turn the crumbling hotel into “the best exotic Marigold hotel,” but his mother is fighting him every step of the way. She wants him to sell the hotel and move back home with her; however, his desire to return this hotel to it’s glory days and his desire to fight for the love of his life, Sunaina (Tena Desae), are stronger than his mother’s will.

Evelyn Greenslade, Graham Dashwood, and Douglas Ainslie taking in the sights of India. (Photo Source: http;//xoxoxoe.blogspot.com)

These seven seniors, all from different backgrounds and different classes of society, but they all want or need to feel loved, to be loved, to love in return, to be needed, and to contribute to society.

I really enjoyed this movie. The sights, sounds and colors of India were beautiful.

Have you seen this movie? If so, I’d love to hear from you!

Have a great day!