THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL – If you like Love Actually, New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day then this film is surely right up your street. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a story of life, love and friendship. It is a very light masterpiece that can be likened to an amazing emotional, physical and spiritual journey. The cast definitely provided the movie a strong foundation though I believe its main asset has something to do with the stories in it. They’re very common, they’re true-to-life, it could be anybody’s life being portrayed. I love the innocence of the film and yet it is very powerful in its own special way.
One thing this film has to be proud of is its incredible cinematography. It is visually entertaining, the colours, the depth of every scene, the crispiness of the detail is right in front of your face. They definitely captured the colourful, wonderful beauty of India. The rest of the technical aspect of the movie is outstanding. Editing was flawless, the sound mixing and engineering are also commendable. There is this feel-good, happy, blissful vibe going on which was effortlessly transferred to the viewers. The acting is also unparalleled. Judi Dench absolutely shone in this film – her magnificent performance was, as always, standout – very classy, very natural, can’t fault it. Dev Patel was also brilliant. He definitely owned the character and gave it justice. I love how his emotions nail each scene – bravo! The other were equally brilliant too and they complement really well just like how you want your characters jive in order to give life to the film.
It’s a refreshing concept – it is not unique but it is good. It celebrates life and looks at the other side of it – through the eyes of the elderly. It gives them more importance, it reminds us that age doesn’t matter at all. Life is all about living it to the fullest and this film reminded that to us once again.
9/10
The Prince of all Media 