We are introduced to a number of people:

Evelyn (Judi Dench) has lost her husband after 40 years and is struggling to cope with the debts he left;

Recently retired civil servant Douglas (Bill Nighy) and Jean (Penelope Wilton),penniless due to investing in their daughter's unsuccessful business, are appalled at the prospect of a retirement flat in an old folks' compound;

Madge (Celia Imrie) may be faded, but isn't ready to call it a day yet;

Muriel (Maggie Smith),embittered after a lifetime in service and the disappearance of her country behind faces she doesn't recognise, finds her much-needed hip replacement outsourced to a cheaper provider;

Graham (Tom Wilkinson) retires as a judge and decides he must try to find something he lost in his youth; and

Ageing old goat Norman decides to pursue the hunt somewhere new.

These 7 people, for their different reasons, find themselves in Jaipur, the first residents of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (for the Old and Beautiful),an establishment which does not quite reach the photoshopped standards of its brochure, and which is run with more enthusiasm than acumen by Sonny (Dev Patel).

Yes, folks, it's another movie about old people. But it has a classy cast, a sparkling script, some genuinely affecting character arcs (Sunny, too has things going on),and the sights and sounds of India.

I saw this in a cinema full of people who, like myself, are no longer in the full flush of youth, and there was a strong sense of identification. But that's not the end of it, because the film is much stronger than that. There was a lot of laughter - much of this film is very funny, and there are some terrific one liners - and an appreciation of the performances. Of course, with a cast of this calibre, one expects no less than first rate, but they all deliver at least to that expected standard. I particularly liked Penelope Wilton's brittle Jean, let down and angry, but always putting the very British cheery public face over the top of her deep unhappiness, and Bill Nighy as husband Douglas, kind, positive, faithful and loyal and, perhaps, capable of being provoked beyond the point where he can bear it any more. Yet all are excellent.

This film is warm, witty, funny, touching, and deep but without being preachy. Even though it is only February, 2012 will have to come up with something special to produce a better film this year.

There really is no movie that everyone likes, so my summary isn't exactly surprising. However, more than most movies, this one will probably have polarized views from audiences. If you appreciate films with characters studies, then you should love "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel". If you prefer action or something very much like the typical Hollywood fare, then this film is definitely NOT for you!

This movie is about a group of elderly Brits were are brought together by a common thread--they have great difficulty affording their twilight years and see an ad for the Marigold Hotel in India. They each realize that retirement or surgery would be MUCH cheaper there so they arrive in a completely foreign land--with traditions, culture and rules which are practically nothing like home. Some adapt very well to their new land, some definitely do not--but it's all an adventure and voyage of discovery where each learns more about themselves--as does the audience. Sometimes, the results are a bit formulaic and predictable but very often they are not--and that makes the film very likable. I also like that the older folks in the film are NOT the usual 'cute' oldsters you see in films--they have sexual urges, difficulties, flaws and hidden longings. Exceptionally well acted and directed and a joy for this reviewer.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is one of those films where the cast is reason enough to see it, and here it really is a great cast that promises so much. And I didn't find it disappointing in the least. Maybe it isn't quite perfect, the ending is a little too predictable and convenient and Dev Patel's performance while sometimes appealing was a mixture of robotic and trying too hard. But the good far outweighs the bad- for me the bad things weren't that bad and very few- and the result was a truly delightful film where you know that if it puts a smile on your face that it's done its job right. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is gorgeous to watch, the photography is never irritating and dull and only compliments the strikingly colourful Indian scenery. The music has plenty of authentic flavours and is of great interest to anybody keen to broaden their musical horizons. The story is the kind we've seen before and doesn't have depth, but it didn't need to be nor did it try to. It does however manage to be colourful and fresh throughout, with real and everyday themes like racism and snobbery well-explored without insult or distaste and the love stories touching. The script positively sparkles, it is genuinely funny- Bill Nighy and Ronald Pickup's one-liners are a hoot- and affecting. The acting is wonderful(with only Patel I had reservations about),helped by John Madden's adept direction and interesting characters that suit the actors down to a tee. Judi Dench and Bill Nighy are the standouts, but Maggie Smith, Celia Imrie, Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Pickup are wholly memorable also. Throughout there is evidence of personal charm, great comic timing, nuances and great chemistry as you'd expect from such an experienced cast. To conclude, I found The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to be terrific fun, it was charming and funny with great writing and a wonderful cast. 9/10 Bethany Cox