A film that's certainly bound to attract this summer's oldest moviegoers is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Even if I'm not one of them, it still attracted me a bit.
Directed by John Madden, it's based on Debborah Moggach's novel with the less wordy title These Foolish Things. Rather than make jokes about the differentiating titles, I'll do the right thing and explain the film's title.
Seven old English folks: Evelyn (Judi Dench), Muriel (Maggie Smith), Douglas and Jean Ainslie (Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilton), Graham (Tom Wilkinson), Madge (Celia Imrie) and Norman (Ronald Pickup), have found themselves on hard times. Finding no place for themselves in society, they decide to "outsource their retirement" to the titular resort in Jaipur, India.
Except when they get there, they find the place not exactly looking like its name. Its new owner, Sonny (Dev Patel), tries to maintain a positive atmosphere, but he's overwhelmed by family expectations. No longer bound by their society, the seven retirees begin to enjoy what they've missed for so long.
Among its strongest assets are its main ensemble of stars. Working with Ol Parker's screenplay, they portray their characters as likable and memorable people. With the film's dramedic tone, you'll find yourselves laughing, and emphasizing with them, not at them.
Still, it wasn't perfect as it did feel longer than it actually was. But with this great ensemble, this trip across India was certainly worth it. It's definitely worth it once you've seen all this summer's blockbusters...or avoided them.
About Me
- Jethrotcat
- This is the blog where I talk about the latest movies I've seen. These are my two Schnauzers, Rufus (left) and Marley (right, RIP). As of now, the Double Hollywood Strikes are officially over. May the next strikes not last as long as these ones did.
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