The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, is one of those feel-good movies the British are experts at producing. Directed by John Madden (Shakespeare In Love) it features a stellar cast, including two Dames, Judy Dench and Maggie Smith as well as Tom Wilkinson, who played Joe Kennedy in the TV Series The Kennedys, Penelope Wilton from such TV Series as Dr Who, Downton Abbey. Ceilia Imry from the TV Series Kingdom and Bill Nighy (The Constant Gardener). Ronald Pickup (The Worst Week of my Life) is brilliant as Norman.
The story tells of a group of retirees, who for various reasons, opt to take up a free offer to spend the rest of their lives in, what was described in the brochures as, an exotic hotel in India. Of course upon arrival, they discover that the hotel is in disrepair, run by an exuberant young Indian named Sonny (Dev Patel) who is excited to welcome new guests, any guests, into his run-down hotel.
It soon becomes clear what the new inhabitants want from their stay in their new home. Graham (Wilkinson), a former judge, is looking for his gay lover of years ago, Evelyn (Dench), left destitute by her recently deceased husband is looking for a job to keep the wolves from her door. Muriel (Smith) a racist Londoner, who is in India for a cheap hip replacement, and hates the place, is befriended by her carer and eventually comes to love the hotel. Madge (Imrie) is looking for a wealthy lover. Norman (Pickup) pretends to be a wealthy man and is also looking for a new partner.
There is a side-story going on when Sonny's mother suddenly turns up and is planning to sell the hotel, while Sonny is trying to win over his girlfriend Sunaine (Tena Desae). By this, he is not only battling his mother but also Sunaine's brother, both being against their relationship.
Marigold Hotel is a funny, well cast and directed and edited movie which will be released to the public, in Australia on March 22. I highly recommend it.
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| Evelyn (Dench) and Madge (Imrie) sight-seeing in India |
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| Graham (Wilkinson) is looking for his lover |
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| Cranky Muriel (Smith) in the bus to the hotel |
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| Douglas the hen-pecked husband |
Well done Bill. Hidden talents eh? Movie critic of brilliance. I shall go and see it when it is released at the Valley Centro, of course, on a Tuesday - discount day.
ReplyDeleteCertainly has a brilliant cast.
Now you will have to review "My Week with Marilyn". I humbly thought my review was superb. I think I did send it to you?
Cheers
Colin (HB)
now back to studying my duck language lessons!
Oh I forgot to mention Tom Wilkinson, he is brilliant in any role.
ReplyDeleteTom Wilkinson as Colonel General Friedrich Fromm: The head of Germany's Reserve Army in "VALKYRIE" and in that other movie, what I think is a classic, "The Full Monty".
It was loud, colourful, fast moving and funny.
ReplyDeleteI have it on my list. But I also have the Marilyn one on my list. Where is Colin's review? But firstly, I want to see the one about J. Edgar Hoover because it will disappear first. Will go this weekend.
ReplyDeleteWilliam, you will be delighted to know that in the movie revue section of the SYDNEY SUN HERALD ( please note - Sydney), this movie "The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel" scored a 9 out of 10 rating. So come Tuesday 27th I will have something to do, see it!
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, you just keep your eyes peeled when outside, Wood Ducks may deposit a present - ha ha!
Wow oh wow!
ReplyDeleteThe movie lived right up to expectations. The dialogue was unbelievably funny and saddening. Thank God we didn't have stools to
sit on, I would have been falling off doubled up with raucous laughter.
Then 5 minutes later you might have a tear in your eyes!
Thankfully not many there for the early session, so when we all laughed, it wasn't a case of the roof falling in.
Julie, if you read this, make sure you go. You will love it.
Colin (HB)