The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – it’s all about the acting

I watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel last weekend and enjoyed it. This is not for the young – I doubt they would understand the nuances of the relationships or even want to know about them since it concerns the older segment of the population. On the other hand, I doubt anyone over forty could deny feeling all warm and fuzzy upon coming out of the cinema.

Of course, this is not a new idea and it is full of clichéd characters – the widow looking to see if there is life outside of being a wife, a sleazy fellow wanting another chance at love, a gay man looking to atone for his past, a married couple who have nothing left in common except their loyalty to each other, a woman who can’t accept that her youth has long since departed and a bitter woman who alienates those around her. But, as we writers know, there is nothing new under the sun and it is all about how it is presented. There are no twists on the usual theme but this film is all about the acting by some of Britain’s finest actors. The fabulous Judi Dench; the brilliant Maggie Smith; Bill Nighy, who is consistently captivating; Tom Wilkinson, who makes you believe he is every character he portrays; Dev Patel, who will make you fall in love with him all over again and other superb actors. A strong thread of loneliness runs through all the characters and you root for them to sort themselves out, which, of course, they do. The journey along the way is engrossing and will make you laugh and cry.

The backdrop of India changes depending on whose eyes you see it through. It is brilliantly colourful, a splendid assault on all the senses when seen through the eyes of the optimistic, and it is chaotic and smelly for those who resent being there.
This story has it all – love, death, transformation, sadness, happiness, anger, rudeness and an overall emotion of longing that presses on the heart. This is a poignant and ultimately fulfilling ride. Go and see it.