Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

It's a dream for most people entering retirement: to spend their twilight years in a truly paradisiacal setting, in a place tailored to their needs, where they don't have to sacrifice any comforts. Such a place is the subject of the new comedy Best Exotic Marigold Hotel from Shakespeare in Love director John Madden.

At least in its advertising, the hotel in Jaipur promises to be the perfect place for wealthy Brits to unwind and get away from all the worries of their previous lives. And that's exactly what a group of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's first residents are now planning to do: the recently widowed Evelyn (Judi Dench), who was left with little more than a pile of debts by her late husband. Former judge Graham (Tom Wilkinson), who hopes to pick up where he left off in his great fortune of yesteryear. The married couple Douglas (Bill Nighy) and Jean (Penelope Wilton), who seem to have very different ideas about their future lives. The beastly and highly racist Muriel (Maggie Smith), who wants to have a new hip put in in Jaipur. And finally, Norman (Ronald Pickup) and Madge (Celia Imrie), who also hope to find new love in the new land.

When this motley crew arrive at their new domicile, they are indeed greeted enthusiastically by its owner Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel). But the hotel is nothing like the luxury property promised. Telephones and running water are a pipe dream and even doors are not a given. The food is also far from being good star cuisine. Shocked by the conditions in the hotel and overwhelmed by the impressions offered by the foreign culture of India, the days in Jaipur seem to be quickly numbered for most of the newcomers. But as they befriend not only each other but the country and its people, many of them begin to see life through a whole new set of eyes...

Admittedly, the story, based on a novel by Deborah Moggach, isn't exactly filled with original ideas. Still, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is quite great entertainment cinema, blending wonderfully funny moments with sensitive drama to create an enchanting whole for which the term feel-good cinema seems to have been invented. First and foremost, of course, the film thrives on its cast. Madden has assembled the who's who of British cinema in front of the camera here, with Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith in particular once again delivering endearingly excellent performances. It's simply fun to watch this talented ensemble as they try to navigate the colourful goings-on of India with an undercooked British manner.

However, even though there are a lot of humorous moments, the film is much more than just a simple senior citizen comedy. Rather, the film illustrates that life doesn't necessarily have to end once you reach a certain age. Many people then retreat into their safe and familiar territory, following a rigid daily routine from which they rarely deviate. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel shows, however, that it's entirely possible to start over, even in old age, to make new friends, new fortunes and become part of a whole new culture. Sure, the whole thing is somewhat overblown and almost fairytale-like here for the sake of greater entertainment. But at its core, the film contains a truly beautiful and important message, and it's not just older people who should be charmed by it.

So if you feel like diving into the colorful world of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, if you want to be entertained by a wonderful ensemble of actors and an amusing as well as moving screenplay, or if you just want to spend two nice hours at the cinema again, you should definitely not miss this warm-hearted comedy.

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp