Get these veteran actors together and it’s hard to fail; they play six elderly Brits who relocate to a hotel in India for various reasons, ultimately hoping to improve their lives. The dialogue and the characters they play may be clichéd, but as expected the stars perform with conviction (especially Judi Dench) and that goes a long way. The story is feel-good entertainment for an older audience without ever rocking the boat; some of the manipulation is too predictable. Still, the story moves along briskly in spite of its running time and colorful Indian locations are a boost.
2012-Britain. 122 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by John Madden. Novel: Deborah Moggach (“These Foolish Things”). Cast: Judi Dench (Evelyn Greenslade), Bill Nighy (Douglas Ainslie), Maggie Smith (Muriel Donnelly), Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie… Dev Patel.
Trivia: Peter O’Toole, Julie Christie, Eileen Atkins and John Hurt were allegedly considered for parts. Followed by The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015).
