Review of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012) by David G — 27 Jan 2013

Feelgood comedy-drama about a group of retired Brits and their adventures in India following a move to the titular resort. The characters are as varied as their reasons for being there and are played to pitch-perfection by a sublime cast that includes Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie and a show-stealing Maggie Smith.

The comedy is spot on thanks to some clever fish-out-of-water gags and Slumdog Millionaire's Dev Patel, who plays the hotel's ever-optimistic manager, and the drama is equally strong, if not stronger, particularly with regards to one member of the group, whose tragic yet uplifting story is genuinely moving.

Be warned though, the schmaltz factor does reach critical proportions at times, especially towards the end where it hits almost romcom levels of treacly sentiment.