It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Out and about, running errands, I noticed the movie on the marquee. Why not?
The end of July/beginning of August is always a season of unrest for me, never more so than this year. I needed a change of pace and decided to seize the moment at hand. The car seemed to steer itself into the parking garage, the light turned green then waved its little red hand for me to proceed through the cross walk. Before I knew it, I had a ticket in hand and strolled to the designated theater, where there was a log-jam of decision makers.
Four women and two men. One of the group was quite agitated, saying, loudly enough for me to hear.
“I didn’t think we were going to that kind of movie.”
A calmer head prevailed, saying “. . . they just left the word Marigold out.”
“Oh”
They proceeded in. I followed, trying hard not to giggle. Nestled into my seat, the best one in the house I might add, right where I wanted to be. I watched all the advertisements there on the screen. The theater darkened. The movie started. The door opened in back and a couple came in. She was rather loud as I heard her bark orders to her companion.
“No. Here. No. Don’t bend your legs. No. Straighten your legs, there is no seat there.”
All this just as the character Norman falls out of his chair, onto the floor, the guests of the Marigold Hotel declaring him dead!
Really. Do you think for a moment that I would make these things up?
The movie was delightful. Not a great movie, but a great cast; both on screen and off. It was fun to watch it amid a group of seasoned adults who “got it”. They laughed at all the innuendoes and asides and I thought I heard a feeble cheer go up when Evelyn gets a job teaching the outsourced telemarketers how to interact with customers. It was just what I needed as I wrestle with changes in my own life, and wonder why my own marigolds are having such a tough time this year.
Have you seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?
I love those little mirrors life shows us. I have not seen it, but it sounds good, and if Judi Dench is in it, it must be worth watching. Thanks for the fun review. Those spontaneous decisions are the best kind.
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They often are, aren’t they Teresa? This is a good movie, rich in the textures and color of India, and the likes of Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill NIghy and more. I think you might enjoy it.
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I just love that you spontaneously made the decision to go…that’s really what I need to learn to do! Too many good movies pass by before I’ve “planned” to see them.
No, I haven’t yet seen the movie and hope it’s even still playing. I was really looking forward to it but it opened locally while my dad was in the hospital. I know it is a movie I’d enjoy, because often for me the storyline doesn’t need to be great for my enjoyment. In this case, it’s definitely the cast which has me intrigued! Good for you, Penny! Keep those reviews coming…I always listen to your recommendations! Debra
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Well, Debra, I’ve been meaning to see it all summer, and there it was, at the cheap show, second run, the matinee and I just leapt at the opportunity, even though I had other things that I needed to do. It kind of fit in with the theme of the movie. ha!
It is very enjoyable. Take you mom to see it. The cast is superb and just to watch them is a joy. Thank you, Debra.
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I loved the movie, Penny. I’m sure the book was tons better, simply because the characters had to be richer and more layered, but I never tire of watching these people do their thing.
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You are right about the characters. There just wasn’t enough time to develop them. I wondered if it wouldn’t have made a better series of some sort. I will probably pick up the book at some point, Andra. It was just the sort of escape I needed.
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I haven’t seen it yet, Penny, but with that cast I certainly intend to. I love the little vignette of your cinema visit – so sweet and funny. 🙂
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There is much about it that I believe you will enjoy, Perpetua. It is a stellar cast and each one brings their own stellar talents to it. Thank you.
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I loved the film…. most of the audience who saw it with me in the little Hebden Bridge cinema in Yorkshire would have happily signed up to move into the hotel straight away. I’m going to India for a month in November…if i happen to find it, I may stay ! J.
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I think my fellow movie goers would have as well, Janice. Now, I am absolutely green with envy. What an experience you will have there, Janice, and if you find the Marigold Hotel, stay – and book me a room too (one with doors).
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That’s a coincidence, Penny; I saw it only last week. I loved it: the thought that my third age might be as exotic as this.
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How about that, Kate? We are on the same wave length. My impulsive action to just drop everything and go makes me glad I wasn’t offered a room at the Marigold Hotel that very day. I might be there now.
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What a funny interaction of movie with real life! I saw the movie recently and really enjoyed it, and as you say, the audience were very ‘with it’ too, which was an added pleasure.
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It does add to the pleasure, doesn’t it? I found myself thinking that my mom would have enjoyed it. It was the best kind of interaction just when I needed it. Life is wonderful that way, Juliet. Wonderful.
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I saw it and liked it a lot — the book’s also worth reading and the story is actually quite different, very interesting to compare the two. When we were leaving the theater a man behind us joked “nobody under 60 is allowed in to see this movie.” (Of course, we were still in Ft Myers then, where there actually may not BE anybody under 60 ;>)
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That is what I have read, Sallie. In fact, it may have been between you and Nan on her blog. I really should read the book sometime soon. You’re funny. True enough, but, funny.
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I don’t attend movies often, but when I do, I love going in the afternoon by myself. I saw this little gem of a movie in June and wrote about it here:
http://bellebookandcandle.blogspot.com/2012/06/best-exotic-marigold-hotel.html
I am so glad you liked it. After seeing in the credits that it was based on a book I added it to my library reserve list. I am now at number 7 of 38. When I placed my request i was number 30! I am hoping I won’t be disappointed.
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Thank you for linking back to your post on The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I did click on and read it, Belle, then checked my own library system. There are 34 holds as I type. I’ll be interested in what your impression is of the book. I understand the movie is loosely based on the book and I imagine the characters are developed a bit more. Whatever may be, I did enjoy the movie – the perfect escape and just when I needed it.
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I saw this movie a week or so before leaving to come here and just loved it! You’re so right, it was a great cast, everyone of them. I enjoyed reading about your experience at the theater!
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I would see it again, Janet. I loved this scene where Evelyn (Judi Dench) is in this cart. At first I thought she had purchased an easy chair, then realized it was all fabrics – blankets and rugs and such.
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Dear Penny, I saw the movie several weeks ago and so enjoyed it. Like you, I was with an audience of people around the age of the main cast and they, too, enjoyed all the subtle humor that was written in and acted out.
My favorite line of your review? “Not a great movie, but a great cast.” I’ve never been able to pinpoint my feelings about some movies, like this one, but with that line, you did. Thank you. I’ll use it often! Peace.
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Thank you, Dee. I’m glad that the line worked for you as well. As I think about this, sometimes it is the scenery that makes a movie, the action or the the set designs, even the music. There were some good lines in this, but, it was the cast.
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