The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Rainbow Cinemas and loved it. Full of humour and substance, everything about it pleased me: the cinematography, the storyline, the characters, the acting, the ending, and even the price.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

The cinematography captures (to paraphrase one character) "the assault on the senses" that characterizes India. It was delightful zipping along vicariously with the motorcycles and getting a sense of the organized chaos - composed of buses, cars, rickshaws, bicycles, motorcycles and foot traffic - that swerves and swirls through India's streets.

BACK STORY

The setting and back story of what's happening to people's pensions - as well as the cultural and economic differences to be confronted in India - felt real and not contrived. For instance, there still are untouchables and rickshaw pullers in India, even as high rises and call centers proliferate.

Of note, there was an attempt in 2005 to liberate rickshaw pullers in Kolkata from the colonial practice of using hand-pulled rickshaws to transport people.

The Calcutta Hackney-Carriage Act of 1919 was subsequently amended to phase out hand-pulled rickshaws and provide vocational rehabilitation for the rickshaw pullers.

However, according to The Indian Express, since not one rickshaw puller was rehabilitated into a new job, those who continue to eke out a living by transporting passengers while running barefoot - there are about 5,935 of them - have asked the new chief minster to repeal the amendment so that the legal status of their jobs is restored.

But I digress.

My point is that the film seems to do a good job of representing India as she is today with her fascinating mix of old and new. While there are still men who run barefoot and pull rickshaws through the streets, growing numbers of educated young professionals are turning to technology and call center work to advance careers.

The film also will strike a cord with anyone who has contemplated - or experienced - the realities of living on a diminished retirement income.

CHARACTERS

Like real people, these characters have flaws, fears, insecurities, courage, failures and successes. Their character flaws are illuminated with humor and insight. As in life, a couple of the characters are sweet, gentle souls and they may endear themselves to you as they did to me.

ACTING

Dames Dench and Smith give great performances, as expected. Yet, perhaps the best performance is by Penelope Wilton. Her body movements and facial expression when she portrays a sixty-some woman who finds herself acting  like a young schoolgirl in love trying to catch sight of her secret beloved - despite knowing she is acting the idiot - is priceless and spot on.

All-in-all the acting was nuanced. Not a mediocre or inauthentic  performance to be found.

ENDING

Entirely satisfying. The full house in which I sat applauded at the end of the film, a rarity in my experience. 

SUMMARY

I can't wait to read the 2004 novel on which this movie was based. Previously titled These Foolish Things, the reissue has been given the same title as the movie. Author is Deborah Moggach.

BTW, this isn't just a movie for retirees. It features the stories and problems of young people as well. The message threaded throughout the movie can apply to anyone. It's about following your dreams and believing in yourself while you're young so you have no regrets when you're old.

Oh, and did I mention it's funny? Light and dark humour give it a pleasant edge. Keep an eye out, especially, for a very amusing scene with Bill Nighy - you'll know it when you see it - it is so wonderfully light and wry. (Hint: there's a phone in the scene.)

P.S. Went on a Tuesday when all shows at the Rainbow Cinema are only $4. Great entertainment for just four dollars. What a deal!