The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Every few years, Hollywood cranks out a marginal film featuring silver screen veterans dealing with old age in unique and supposedly funny ways. Whether it’s a last ditch effort to feel young, a journey to fulfill unfinished business, or a team of old pros called back into action, the results are usually shaky at best. Maybe it’s because The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was made outside of the Hollywood system that it defies the odds.

After reviewing their options, several retired Brits take a major risk and move to India to stretch their retirement dollars. Evelyn (Judi Dench) is broke thanks to her dead husband’s debts, while Jean (Penelope Wilton) and Douglas (Bill Nighy) are scraping by after investing in their daughter's stagnant web start-up. Graham (Tom Wilkinson) is looking for an old flame, while Madge (Celia Imrie) is on the prowl for a new flame. Norman (Ronald Pickup) is trying to cling to whatever youth he has left, while Muriel (Maggie Smith) needs a hip replacement on the cheap. Upon arriving at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, everyone is dismayed to find the place is the opposite of the pictures on the website. As the hotel manager, Sonny (Dev Patel), struggles to keep the place from falling apart, the seven guests band together to help each other out on many different levels.

Far from being a charming tale for the geriatric demographic alone, this film has the potential to play well to most age brackets. It’s not for the youngest of viewers but anyone with an adult level of maturity can find something to enjoy here. The characters may be somewhat formulaic but the filmmakers put enough refreshing twists on type to keep you emotionally invested and genuinely curious to see how each of these seven retirees adjust to their new surroundings.

Maybe it’s the pedigree of the cast or maybe British actors are just a better breed of talent in general, but all the principals do a wonderful job of making their characters feel real. Whether it’s portraying the fear and anxiety of new and intimidating surroundings or the general vulnerability that comes with aging physically and emotionally, the cast is remarkably spot-on. This makes for several powerful moments and also for a few humorous moments that you don’t see coming.

On the surface, Dev Patel’s hilarious character does feel like an obvious ploy to appeal to young adults and thirtysomethings who might not otherwise be interested in a film about old people. Patel is more than just a throwaway to the younger set though. His youth and inexperience contrast against his tenants and open up the door to both sides learning from each other. Some of these lessons are more predictable than others but they’re not executed poorly.

Cynics may consider this film a kind of Breakfast Club for the retirement home crowd but take heart in knowing that cynics are usually little more than an extremely vocal minority. There is no shame in liking this film, regardless of your age. Years of Hollywood beating these kind of ensemble dramas (from coming-of-age teen flicks to gray-haired adventures) has trained us to brace ourselves for inevitable disappointment. It may not live up to its name 100% but The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel houses very little, if anything, to be disappointed about.

RATING: 3.75 out of 5