In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

The acting in this movie is really good.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

I rarely write reviews for movies, but when I noticed the rather high overall rating shown for this movie I decided to balance it out in the proper direction - i.e. downward! This movie has all the ingredients for a good film, but these ingredients need to be properly mixed and baked. As it turns out, this is nothing more than a cliche travel-log flick with a worn-out albeit camouflaged theme and uninspired acting. I may be the odd-man-out in this, but I'm of the opinion that a movie has no raison-d'etre unless the audience can care about the characters on the screen (favorably or otherwise). I could find no reason to care about any of them, so after a half-hour in front of the screen I cut my losses and shut the darn thing off. This movie has been rated favorably alongside such film as 'The Good Karma Hospital' - I think not!! Same part of the world; totally different result. The latter film left me wanting to see more; the 'Hotel' merely wasted a half-hour of my time!

If there ever was such a likeable, watchable, enthralling, witty, hilarious and heartbreaking film, it's this one. Who knew a group of people in their golden years moving to India would make for such a fun and moving film. It's a story about rediscovery. Rediscovering one's self, rediscovering life and rediscovering happiness. Making the most out of what you have left, embracing a new and foreign lifestyle and just tackling new obstacles that are thrown your way. The sheer resonating force the the plot is filled with is exceedingly joyous and is sure to make you smile with glee. Evoking a variety of emotions from happiness to sorrow. It's a whirlwind, both in its narrative and themes. With more than eight lively characters to fuel the story, you would imagine balancing their screen time to be quite the challenge. Alas, screenwriter Ol Parker and director John Madden utilise their experience to overcome this obstacle, and with vibrancy. I mean the script contains British wit that makes the film ever so charming. A racist Dame Maggie Smith, a gay Tom Wilkinson, a grieving Judi Dench and a promiscuous Ronald Pickup are just a few enigmatic characters that stay in the hotel. Perhaps trying too hard to cater for a wide variety of character types. Some characters are more developed than others, and certain elements in the plot are rushed because of this, however it's well balanced overall. Then injecting the urban Indian culture into the mix with a seasoning of love, and we have ourselves an international hit. The recipe works and clearly the results show. Everyone gave excellent performances that provided much needed emotion. The beauty of such talent on and off screen means that it is accessible by all ages. Every type of audience can appreciate and be engaged with what is being shown. Some may consider this to be too "fluffy", but come on...sometimes we just need a nice film to cheer us up!

This movie points out the plot early. An elderly woman in the UK needs a hip replacement. If she stays in the UK, she has to wait 6 months to even start the process plus it is expensive. If she wants faster cheaper service she can go outsource her operation to India.The Marigold Hotel is in India and does not turn out to be what is advertised. It is "what we hope to be in the future." Where the plot gets muddled is that they go to India for faster service and wind up staying long term at the hotel.The comedy here is British, often subtle, and definitely understated.. There is some mild racism with one character. A little comedy with sexual references, and some mild jokes, many of which I have heard before.Because of the cast and the circumstances I enjoyed the film. The India scenes were very much like the ones in 007 film Octopussy, years prior. Overall, a fun movie to watch.

On paper, this film looks terribly clichéd. A group of elderly Brits have a jolly adventure in India alongside a group of eccentric Indians. But I stumbled on to it on TV and found that it was far better than the trailer made out. The cinematography and costume design are utterly beautiful, making use if the vibrant colours of street life and fashion against dusty street backdrops. The script strives to be romantic and heartfelt without being soppy, and best of all, the filmmakers avoid the trap of trying too hard to be funny. The Indian and the British cast, similarly, take their jobs seriously, and do an excellent job. It's so refreshing that all the elderly characters get genuine story arcs, and are not just sidelines of the main storyline, or comic relief. The script gives just the right balance of light and shade. The Indian music is understated but evocative. Overall a good film.