The Silver Screen Oasis

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a lovely British movie. I didn't know weather to say this was a comedy or a drama, so my apoligise of I got it wrong.

Spoiler

It's about an allegedly group of elderly British folk who leave the UK and go to live in what they thought would be a plush Indian hotel, when in fact it was a dump.I used the word allegedly when using the word elderly coes Penelope Wilton, Bill Nighy and the vastly underrated Celia Imrie are only in there 60s. In fact Imrie recently did a bit of power dressing in a Doctor Who episode, playing dare I say, a sexy villainess. However, it's credit to Judi Dench, in her late 70s, that she was a credible love interest for Nighy after his 40-yr marraige to Wilton broke up. I think Judi is a bit like Claire Bloom in that respect, though she has played elderly women in recent period dramas.

It's interesting to see Maggie Smith, play a disabled elderly figure, waiting for a hip operation, play a woman from working class origines instead of her Ladyship from Downton Abbey. She comes up with a plan to turn the hotel into a profit, becoming the assistant Manager.

Also in the film is Ronald Pickup and Tom Wilkinson. TW plays a retired gay Barrister, who returns to India to find an ex-lover, who it turns out is happilly married, after an arranged marraige. From a UK point of view it's also nice to see Jimmy Tarbuck's daughter, Liza Tarbuck, in a small role of a nurse. I also want to mention Indian actor Dev Patel, who gives a great comic performance as the hotel Manager, at odds with his mother as regards the business and his choice of girlfriend

It's nice to see that in recent yrs The British Film Industry is making movies about the older generation. It's rather refreshing, but then the talents there......................................

I loved the movie Stuart! It was probably my favorite that year. I enjoyed the entire location, the way the people interacted, how Penelope Wilton's character was not really judged for her tight feelings and problems with new things, and I just loved Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson.

I've seen this movie on HBO and I loved it. Maggie Smith was a hoot and she made me laugh. In fact the whole cast jelled so well, I ended up watching the movie 3 times. It was a delight.

Joe, I loved the movie so much, I bought it as soon as it was available. I very seldom buy movies, I just record them when I can, but this one had to be 'official'.

It's definitely a keeper! I thought it was done so well, none of it was too sentimental, or too dry either. It just worked. Glad to hear you liked it Joe, and that you got your own copy, Nan!

I do love this enduring drama - Maggie Smith is a bona fide actress that charms her way into the movie itself and not to mention Judi Dench and Tom Wilkerson that played Graham Dashwood in a role that is tailored made for him. Worth watching and never a dull moment either ...

I saw this on HBO a few weeks ago and was totally enchanted by the film. In some ways, it reminded me of Love, Actually but it stood on its own. Maggie Smith and Judi Dench as well as Tom Wilkinson and Bill Nighy and the rest of the cast were just marvelous!

It's one of my favorite films of 2012!

I want to see it just on the cast alone. Getting that kind of list speaks well for the project. All of your comments make it required viewing.

I don't know what's going on with me. I hardly ever watch new movies anymore. I know they're not all bad. Access is greater than ever. I'm just not interested. Going through a phase? I'm seeing previews of a new Superman movie. It looks pretty good. But how dark and contemplative does this stuff need to be? It's Superman!

Red:

You're not alone. I don't even really look to go to the movies anymore. When I do see one it is more because someone said some good things about them here.

I finally got to see this film. It is wonderful. It's a lovely quiet film full of wonderful performances. I love the characters. It is sometimes very funny but also rather poignant.

Well done.

Thanks Movieman, I'm going to give this a try -- if I can manage to take a break from my binge-watching of "Royal Pains."

It looks like there has been a sequel -- The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2555736/reference

It is in on my list for next week.