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FILM DETAILS

Certificate 12A

Cast Bill Nighy Maggie Smith Judi Dench Tom Wilkinson Dev Patel Penelope Wilton Celia Imrie.

Directors John Madden.

Screenwriters Ol Parker.

Running Time 118 minutes

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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
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Plot
For a disparate group of English pensioners, retirement takes an unconventional turn when they abandon their homeland, enticed by advertisements for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a seemingly luxurious sanctuary for "the elderly and beautiful" in Jaipur, India. On arrival, they discover that the hotel falls somewhat short of the romantic idyll promised in the brochure, but they are gradually won over by the ever-optimistic young manager Sonny, and tentatively embark on a new adventure, finding that life can begin again when you let go of the past.

Review

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The combination of Judi Dench and Maggie Smith promises a dignified yet playful tone, and this comedy-drama doesn’t disappoint. A group of pensioners head for Jaipur only to wind up in a ramshackle hotel managed by the inexperienced Sonny (Dev Patel). While Douglas (Bill Nighy) takes it in his stride, wife Jean (Penelope Wilton) refuses to leave the hotel and Muriel (Smith) reels in culture-clash horror. Her racism is relied on too heavily for comic effect, but there’s delightful light humour elsewhere and a lovely spark between Dench and Nighy. Add in Tom Wilkinson, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup and a tidy script based on Deborah Moggach’s novel and you have an enjoyable film for the older crowd — even if Patel’s own romantic storyline feels like a bit of a postscript.

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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Review

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel isn't groundbreaking storytelling, but it's a sweet story about the senior set featuring a top-notch cast of veteran actors. ... More

Posted by the film man at 12:46, 11 May 2012 | Report This Post

RE: Top Quality Hotel

Tiptoes on the edge of tedium throughout, yet the performances from the very able cast keep it together. The stories involving Dench, Nighy, Wilton & Wilkinson work quite well and had Marigold Hotel focussed on them alone, a much more successful & affecting feature would have been the case. It is however bogged down by the plot lines of the elderly singletons, an unconvincing character transformation for Maggie Smith and Patel's entire piece almost feels like sub-standard Slumdog. Perfectly fin... More

Posted by Qwerty Norris at 13:13, 21 March 2012 | Report This Post

RE: Top Quality Hotel

A group of British retirees are enticed by advertisements about a supposedly wonderful hotel in India called The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a place for the “elderly and beautiful”. They are; the newly widowed Evelyn who is losing her home to pay off her husband’s debts, Graham a retired high court judge who grew up in India, would-be lothario Norman, equally ‘looking for fun’ and much married Madge, racist ex-housekeeper Muriel who is going to India for a hip replacement, and Douglas and Jeaa... More

Posted by Dr Lenera at 19:34, 01 March 2012 | Report This Post

Top Quality Hotel

The cinema was more packed than I have seen it for a long time, althpough I admit it was of a 'certain age'. This is a lovely film, with perfect performances from the best of British. Charm and wits runsthroughout and India itself acts as a fantastic canvas for the talents on display. ... More

Posted by bretty at 23:02, 28 February 2012 | Report This Post

Top Quality Hotel

The cinema was more packed than I have seen it for a long time, althpough I admit it was of a 'certain age'. This is a lovely film, with perfect performances from the best of British. Charm and wits runsthroughout and India itself acts as a fantastic canvas for the talents on display. ... More

Posted by bretty at 23:02, 28 February 2012 | Report This Post

best exotic marigold hotel

Brilliant! Just got in from watching a great cast,acting and script top class, very funny and very touching. For someone who visits india regulary It was on the money. Tell every one to go and watch, you wont be disappointed. ... More

Posted by ceejay1252 at 23:22, 27 February 2012 | Report This Post

Beautiful

With the cream of British acting talent and the beauty of India all in one film the only thing that could have made this a disappointment was the quality of the script. There was not one minute of this film that was not heart warming or life affirming. The moments of comedy were equally matched by the moments of quiet contemplation and character development. Every character / actor had his / her moment in the spotlight and shone. I do however agree with Anna Smith’s view that Dev Patel's s... More

Posted by Little Big One at 18:23, 21 February 2012 | Report This Post

Beautiful

With the cream of British acting talent and the beauty of India all in one film the only thing that could have made this a disappointment was the quality of the script. There was not one minute of this film that was not heart warming or life affirming. The moments of comedy were equally matched by the moments of quiet contemplation and character development. Every character / actor had his / her moment in the spotlight and shone. I do however agree with Anna Smith’s view that Dev Patel's s... More

Posted by Little Big One at 18:23, 21 February 2012 | Report This Post

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