The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel review

 Evelyn:  Initially you're overwhelmed. But gradually you realize it's like a wave. Resist, and you'll be knocked over. Dive into it, and you'll swim out the other side. 

Director: John Madden
(2012)

If, like me, your below the age of 20, chances are haven't seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. A film aimed very much at the over 60’s crowd, it’s been a box office success proving the over 60’s crowd shouldn’t be ignored. After watching it on Blu Ray, I was surprised at how poignant and diversely appealing the film was, making one of the best comedies so far this year.

TBEMH follows a group of British pensioners who decide that retiring abroad in India is how they wish to spend their remaining days. By using a smartly cut opening 15 minutes, director John Madden effectively establishes the characters, as well as their motives. Evelyn (Judi Dench) leaves England in an attempt to move on after the death of her husband, Muriel (Maggie Smith) moves to get her hip replaced quicker, fearing her time on this earth is short despite her racist tendencies (“I can’t wait that long, I don’t even buy green bananas!”). Others such as Douglas (Bill Nighy) and Jean (Penelope Wilton) leave because they have no choice, while Madge and Norman (Celia Imrie and Roland Pickup) make the trip for a sense of adventure. The most interesting character is Tom Wilkinson’s Graham, who’s choice to return to India is initially a mystery, and the films revelation of his motives is both powerful and memorable, quite easily the highlight of the film.

The state of the hotel itself is like many things in life, considerably different from the pictures. It has its charms, but manager Sonny (Dev Patel) lacks the needed funds required to renovate. One of the many joys of TBEMH is seeing how these various characters deal when outside their comfort zones. While Douglas wanders the city exploring, Jean and Muriel scarcely leave the hotel, their distaste of Indian culture being the primary cause. The plot is purely character driven which does wonders at pacing the film proficiently. The large cast means we get constant progression throughout the film; a joyous feat that keeps TBEMH from sliding in banality.

While the sheer variety of the different story arcs enjoyable, it’s almost a waste of talent that some of the characters are severely underutilised. For all his talent, Bill Nighy has only a handful of scenes, a poor decision considering his importance to Dench’s story (inarguably the ‘main’ character).  Norman makes for some excellent comedic moments, but is used far too sparingly. The same applies to Madge, her cougar like attitude produces chuckles, but she is condemned to the role of comic relief at such an early stage of the film.

The biggest shortcoming that TBEMH suffers from is its ending. Events are a little rushed and would have benefitted tremendously from having more time to unfold. This neuters the ending somewhat, what could have been a climax boiling with emotion is merely warm instead. Penelope Wilton's Jean is the closest the film gets to an antagonist, but is too shallow to resemble anything other than a caricature; despite her solid performance. While it targets a mature crowd, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a wonderful blend of happiness, despair and adventure that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their age.

7