Film Review: THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD
"A visual feast, feel good film, with ongoing 'laugh out loud' moments. I highly recommend it"
I saw this film yesterday with my Mum and one of my best friends, it was my birthday. We went to the Ettalong 'Cinema Paradiso', on the Central Coast. I particularly like the little glass booths for families with babies, a 12 week old was in there enjoying (sleeping through) his first film and we didn't hear a peep. Later we consumed a 'well plated' mushroom stir fry, ice cream and passion fruit, Lindt balls and Swisse Giandor chocolate and a gorgeous Australian Penola Estate, Coonawara 2008 Merlot... perfect. Tonight will be the second half of my celebrations, I'll tell you about it tomorrow.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?...
A group of retirees travel to India to live out their days in a fabulous hotel. Only when they arrive they discover the place is decrepit. As the retires explore a colourful and alive India, trying to face their troubles, they look deep inside themselves, embrace new friendships and find renewed enthusiasm for their future.
IMPRESSED BY...
The performances by an amazing cast, the constant humour and charm, the cinematography, India and the art direction by Peter Francis and Andrew Rothschild. Even though it's a hilarious film the filmmakers don't shy away from serious themes.
LEFT ME FEELING...
Absolutely fabulously warm and fuzzy inside. I love Dame Judi Dench, she looks and moves exactly like my late grandmother, Gertrude Lillian Harman (Billy) and I always think of my Nan when I watch her films.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR...
The very comfy auto-rickshaw Judi Dench takes a ride on... a bit like a sofa on wheels.
WATCH WITH...
All your best friends, a date, your mum and dad, well any family... you could even go alone and leave feeling pretty good.
WHO'S IN IT...
A stellar cast - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup, Diana Hardcastle, Dev Patel, Celia Imrie and many other talented people.
A FEW OF THE FILM MAKERS...
SCREENPLAY: Ol Parker - based on the novel "These Foolish Things" by Deborah Moggach
PRODUCERS: Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin
DIRECTOR: John Madden
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Ben Davis
EDITOR: Chris Gill
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Alan MacDonald
COSTUME DESIGN:
MUSIC: Thomas Newman