The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Some say that The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the one of the best movies they have seen. Others say it is a movie for elderly people. I say that I laughed my tits off and had to moderate my laughing. I chose to go for a matinee session with some of the Ladies I walk my dog with. There were only about 20 people there at the Lido in Manukau Rd, Epsom, so my laughs most definitely would have been notices.

I didn’t care. It was an experience that I had not had since I had seen Kinky Boots a few years ago, after which I had to see a heart specialist because I had these pains that I thought was a heart attack. Thank God, such visits are free in NZ, because it was a little embarrassing--- I had laughed so much that I strained my chest muscles--- I think that is what he said. Well, today I was careful not to strain, but laughing was the order of the day.

I love those English actors like Judi Dench and Maggie----they have so much class and they make the story come alive. Whist the setting is exotic, the issues ring true and one has a sense that such a story could happen. In many ways the theme is timeless and could happen across cultures. I think the director handled the strands of the story in a sensitive way, leaving the audience smiling but challenged.

I think that the Brits have this knack to take our everyday fears and aspirations and bend them into a film that makes us look at ourselves and then gently allow us to let go and laugh at our failings. They do it time after time.

India is without doubt a land of contrast; the poor living alongside the rich and powerful. It is a land of contradictions; take the still thriving cast system for example. You get the feeling that despite the rapid progress made in many areas of Indian society, there is still an underlying connection to past beliefs and practices.  I wonder what Indian mover goers make of this film. Perhaps, we can get some feedback from my Indian readers. (There’s a challenge).

I am going to go again, next week with another friend. Seeing a film twice is not a thing I usually do, so that puts this movie right up there for me.