The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

When I first saw the trailer for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel I wasn't sure exactly what to think. On the one hand you've got a dream cast; Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson top an all star cast with Dev Patel there to entice younger audiences. However, the story seemed to be a little bit too much of cultural clashing and old people jokes, by which I mean jokes about old people, not jokes for old people. So I was unsure. Reviews too were very diverse, ranging from calling the film sublime, to saying that the film lived up to all my worst fears. So the only way to get around this confusion was to simply go and see it myself.

The opening to the film I found a tad confusing, it was only later in the film that I realised that all their flights out there had been paid for, and had a vague memory of this being alluded to, but not specifically said. The characters that are outlined all had their own individual personalities that fell nicely into the cliches we expected. However, the cast really bring them out of these cliches and give them personality and bring warmth to the roles. In particular Tom Wilkinson as the retired Judge looking for a lost love and Maggie Smith, the old racist forced to go to India for an operation.

As the film progresses the characters don't really develop all that much in terms of their willingness to accept change, with a couple of exceptions. Maggie Smith definitely realises the error of her racist ways (otherwise the film would be much darker than it is), and Judi Dench learns to develop to the working world after a lifetime of being a housewife. Perhaps the unwillingness to change of some of the other characters is a reflection of their age, perhaps the film makers were trying to say that by this stage we are the people we already are? Though the idea of destiny falls into this as well. With young Dev Patel certain that his future lies in hotel management, no matter what his mother, or siblings may say on the matter, he is convinced that this is his destiny.

The film is an odd one. It definitely falls into numerous cliches, and sometimes the culture clash thing is played out a little too much. However, it works, the cast are the primary reason for this of course, but the film is a pleasant film, it's amusing where it needs to be amusing, and touching where it needs to be touching. It's far from perfect, but it is very nice, I can see why it would appeal to people of my parents age, and as I was brought up on films that they recommended, I can see why it would appeal to me. So yeah, a pleasant Sunday afternoon film.