The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

When a group of British retirees decide to up sticks and move to the perfect home in India, they have no idea of the adventures that await them.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel seems the perfect place for you to spend your twilight years, with Sun, relaxation, good food and an atmosphere worthy of hard working people. At least that is what the brochure says. A group of retirees, with hardly anything in common, decide that India is where they want to spend the rest of their lives, and make the trip down to paradise.

Sadly when they arrive, they find that the paradise described in all of the brochures, is really the pipe dream of the young Indian owner, whose quick talking and fantastic ideals convince them to stay, so that his ideas can become reality. While waiting for the completion of the hotel the group discovers tolerance, patience and a very different way of looking at life, reassessing all of the things they have come to accept in a country which is nothing like their own.

Their relocation is a journey of discovery in more ways than one, they gel as a group, learn things about themselves that they would never have known if they had stayed in the UK and appreciate life for what it really is. Couple this with a forbidden love story, an inflexible class system that looks to scupper the romance, and a whole new world and you have the makings for one of the finest and most touching films of the year.

This film promised many good things in the trailer and more than delivered on these in the cinema. With an all star cast from both the UK and India this film is a deeply touching and emotional voyage of self discovery in ways that many would not dare to attempt. The scenery is wonderful, the photography stunning, and the story is told with an every day realism that is not seen very much on film. Based on the novel "These foolish Things" by Deborah Moggach, this is the perfect match of talent from two generations, in a film that will make you laugh out loud, but also have a lump in your throat at times.

UK born Dev Patel, who jumped onto our screens in "Slumdog Millionaire" shows that he has matured a lot as an actor, with his inspired performance as the visionary "Sonny Kapoor" juggling not only his dreams for the hotel without funding, but also an un-approved romance, money problems and a rather large lack of direction. He gives an inspired performance in this one, with just the correct amount of comedy value and touching drama to make this a true viewing pleasure.

Dame Judy Dench is truly inspirational in this piece as the widow "Evelyn Greenslade". After losing her husband, she discovers a new direction in life, not only taking on her first job, but also finding the love that believed she had lost forever. Her performance, as always is superb, but this one is truly something special, the former Oscar winner bringing, something to the screen that gives the audience a warm feeling, but also allows them to really identify with her character. Her portrayal is sensitive yet powerful and is one of her finest in recent years.

Maggie Smith also gives one of the best showings of her career, with her portrayal of the bigoted and seemingly betrayed "Muriel Donnely". The lessons she learns in this film are stark and amazing and make a very likable character indeed. British legend Bill Nighy, takes on the role of "Douglas Ainslee", the victim of an unhappy marriage, but willing to give his new surroundings a good go. His performance is fantastic, powerful and moving and show all of his amazing range. He works perfectly with Penelope Wilton who takes the role of his wife, finding their marriage has lost its fizzle and not knowing how to adapt to this. Ronald Pickup and Celia Imrie also give inspired performances as the two single people in the group, complementing the rest of the cast wonderfully.

Little known Tena Desae makes her first foray into the mainstream with her talented showing as "Sunaina", the love interest of Dev Patel. Keep a close eye out for the talented actress in future, she is awesome and convincing in this film and plays an integral part in the enjoyment of this film

A truly enjoyable film, emotional, yet funny and contains the whole package. UK based audiences will enjoy this especially, appreciating the nuances of the older generation and how they perceive the world

7.5/10