The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

[canadian_turtle]

that would also explain the McVities comps.

Hobnobs were prominently featured in the film too.

[cinefila1]

Good to hear you all had a good time despite the cold weather. They did say on TV that it was going to be the coldest night so far. Looking forward to seeing the film. As you say, it's good to see so many good actors in one film.

[Beate]

Seeing that not many other people have yet given a review, I’ll talk a bit more about it.

It’s not without its flaws. In fact there are a number of clichés like the racist English woman (a glorious Maggie Smith) plonked into a country full of foreigners she can’t stand (and bringing a suitcase full of PG Tips, HobNobs and Branston Pickle along, hello product placement), and the young Indian hotel manager (Dev Patel) who is supposed to have an arranged marriage instead of marrying the woman he loves. Also, the beginning feels terribly rushed. We have to be introduced to 7 individual characters, and I still don’t quite remember how all of them ended up in the same hotel in India – the story about the NHS p*ying for Maggie Smith to have her hip replacement done cheaper in India felt a bit strange. Would they do that? The middle bit where we got to know the characters better was great, but the ending felt rushed again – quick, tie up all the loose ends and solve all problems so we can have an all-round happy ending. Some of the character’s stories felt more authentic than others (poor Norman didn’t really get much plot apart from looking for a shag partner), and a film with Judi Dench in it always gets my vote – I could watch the woman recite from the phone book without getting bored.

[canadian_turtle]

I thought this movie was just delightful. I had only a vague idea what it would be about when going in (having not seen a trailer or anything, I just knew it had a stellar cast) and was pleasantly surprised by the direction of the movie, particularly how incredibly funny it was. Some of the things that came out of Maggie Smith's mouth, haha! [spoiler]"He can wash all he likes, he can never get that colour out." (or something along those lines)[/spoiler]

Despite the large ensemble cast of amazing British and Indian talent I didn't feel like one role overshadowed the others, each of the characters had their own (unique) stories, that came together or crossed paths because of the overall arc of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful. And most of the movie was just really sweet and heartwarming (despite some of the character and situations being less than kind).

Oh, and it was lovely that the director John Madden and actors Dev Patel and the beautiful Tena Desae braved the stairs up to the absolutely tiny screen 2 to introduce the film!

8.5/10


Great to see so many FMUK-ers in one place, practically the entire front row was filled with familiar faces and there were various people in other rows too. The only (BIG) annoyance came from the people sitting around me. On my left hand side (besides Valda) was a guy who skipped between 4 different seats throughout the evening, packing his things on the other seats and taking all the spare hobnobs and water, on my right hand side (with one empty seat in between) were a girl and guy who were on their bright phones consistently throughout the film. I said something to the girl about it who eventually turned it off, but the guy was too far away. They also spoke with each other really loudly throughout the last 45 mins or so, I can't believe no one else sitting behind/next/in front of them said anything!

[Beate]

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful.

"Now with guests!"

[Beate]

On my left hand side (besides Valda) was a guy who skipped between 4 different seats throughout the evening, packing his things on the other seats and taking all the spare hobnobs and water,

Yep, that was the guy originally next to me who I asked to put his phone away which is when he moved to your side.

[canadian_turtle]

So I can blame you, Beate? Though, to be fair, he did the hopping around thing already before you moved to our row.

[canadian_turtle]

Oh and was it just me or did anyone else think of Harriet Jones's (Penelope Wilton's character in Doctor Who) supposed breakdown during the scenes where PW's character was throwing a fit?

[elski]

[Beate]

So we get to see Matt Cardle interviewed but not Tena Desae?