Q: When is it too late to live fully? 
Contemplating one’s life experience can be an uncomfortable journey into the past. Exploring failures, joys, dashed dreams, lost loves… It can devour your present state of being, and cloud the possibilities of What Is and Could Be.
In The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, we share such a journey with a random cluster of British retirees, tossed together by fantasy, fear, desperation and need. From the misty gloom and predictable traditions of comfortable old England – they jump off the cliff into an unknown world of brilliant discomfort. Respectfully, gently, and with honesty, the film introduces them and invites you to share their personal discoveries. Gradually emerging, naturally as if we joined them in personal conversation, you connect and care.
Richly contrasting with this group of misfits is the country they landed in. The lens follows them through a wonderland of glorious ruins draped with filth and chaotic, colorful splendor. Much as the film’s characters, I wondered how human beings could possible exist under such conditions? Yet they don’t just exist- they thrive. Energy, love, and life pulses intensely and joyously in the streets. By film’s end I found myself asking the opposite question- how can Americans exist in such disconnected, isolated loneliness? Are not humans social creatures? This ancient culture confidently looks you in the eye and offers an alternative to the American Dream of mini-ranchettes and “Rugged Individualism”.
The film occasionally stumbles with gimmicky edits and some predictable “Americana” feel good story lines prevent this from achieving perfection. Forgive these mistakes; this film rewards many times over with a beautiful, stirring, funny story that satisfies long past the Exit.
A: Never.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opens May 4, 2012. It is rated PG-13. For a full review of the film, see http://ingoodtastedenver.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-a-review-by-thea-tagower/.
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