Film Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

When six British retirees set off for India to spend their last golden years at The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel they expect it to be as the website says. However, like so many things in life it isn't quite as promised. What they do get out of India are friendships, new life experiences and invaluable lessons. The recurring theme throughout the film reminds viewers that not all is as it seems, this is more to every situation than meets the eye.

The opening scenes allow for each character to point a grim portrait of their lives in England, some with the prospect of living in a 'beige box' and others left widowed with no money and controlling children. Each retiree sets off for India, against the advice of others, and arrive to what is not quite yet The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. With missing doors, broken taps and disconnected phone lines, the hotel is run down and in need of a serious cash injection and some hard labour. Sonny, a young Indian man, who has inherited the hotel from his father, also has great plans of how it should look, but Sonny has no business sense and cannot keep track of the accounts. As Sonny's hotel is falling to ruin and his mother tries to sell, his occupants are growing from strength to strength; each finding in themselves something they never knew existed.

It won't win any Oscars and the story-line is simple but, it gives me hope that my golden years have the possibility to be entertaining . As a viewer you become attached to the idea that the hotel could one day be very grand and on ending you almost wish you could watch for another ten minutes. I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to the characters but at least I knew they all found happiness in some form or another. It is a feel-good film and if nothing else it might inspire you to visit India.

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