Review: Superb acting makes a trip to the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel worthwhile Interwoven tales of British seniors in India has a happy moral By Katherine Monk, Postmedia News (VANCOUVER SUN)

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Starring: Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel and Maggie Smith

Directed by John Madden

Parental advisory: coarse language

Running time: 124 minutes

Rating: Three stars out of five

VANCOUVER — Romance sits at the very heart of Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and not just the kissy-kissy kind.

A multi-threaded tapestry of narratives unwinding in India, this new feature from Oscar winner John Madden features an all-star cast of proven veterans preparing for the final exit.

The most sympathetic of them all is our de facto narrator, Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench) — a recent widow struggling to deal with the loss of her spouse, but also the looming loss of her home. It seems her hubby didn't tell her about the finances. He overspent, and now she has nothing.

When we meet Evelyn, she's trying to explain to the death of her husband to a call centre operator in India. Frustrated, she hangs up, but the dimensions of her loss are becoming all too clear.

Having been frozen in time, and a marriage, Evelyn feels like she's walking out of a time capsule as she attempts to reinsert herself into the stream — but it's all going so fast, and she's become fearful of change.

Surrounding Evelyn are a host of other retirees looking to enjoy themselves, including a noted judge (Tom Wilkinson), a henpecked husband (Bill Nighy), and a retired housekeeper (Maggie Smith).

Madden gives each scenario a few establishing scenes to provide a sense of character, but by the time everyone ends up on a plane to India, we know we're looking at a Big Chill for the golden-ager set.

Seeking to escape the grey, everydayness of England — as well as the high cost of adult home care – the motley crew of cranky Brits end up at the dilapidated Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

A sprawling and rather seductive palace that's clearly seen better days, the Marigold is home to star-crossed lover, Sonny (Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire), a kid who's fallen in love with a woman who, apparently, doesn't pass the caste test.

Like half the characters in this film, Sonny is a true romantic who puts love above all else, including the hotel and the standard conveniences his uptight and emotionally corseted guests expect.



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