The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel parents guide

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Parent Guide

For all the positive adaptations these aging seniors embrace in this new chapter of their lives, many of their decisions seem rash in spite of the supposed wisdom that comes with life experience.

Overall C+

After reading glowing advertisements, several seniors (Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson) leave England for a retirement resort in India. While the reality falls short of the promises, there may still be a hidden charm to be found at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Release date May 4, 2012

Violence B+
Sexual Content C
Profanity C-
Substance Use C+

Why is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel rated PG-13? The MPAA rated The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel PG-13 for sexual content and language throughout.

Run Time: 124 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

As outsourcing menial jobs to foreign countries becomes more popular it should come as no surprise that outsourcing the care of the elderly should follow. At least that’s what Sonny (Dev Patel) hopes. The younger brother of two successful businessmen, he plans to make a name for himself by turning a rundown Indian hotel into a luxurious retirement center named The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful.

Unfortunately by the time his first British guests arrive, the establishment is still in a state of disrepair. The phones aren’t working. The food is less than to be desired. And one of the rooms is even without a door.

Yet the sights and sounds (and smells) of the exotic location are enough to intrigue several of the new arrivals. Graham (Tom Wilkinson), a retired high court judge, has returned to his childhood home with hopes of finding someone he left behind many years ago. Muriel (Maggie Smith), an outspoken and racially prejudiced woman, comes to receive hip surgery at a foreign institution. After the sudden death of her husband, Evelyn (Judi Dench) discovered he had racked up a huge debt. Even the sale of her lovely flat in England won’t cover her expenses. Moving to India, she steps out of her sheltered life with hopes of finding some way to support herself. When her children discourage the move, she agrees to keep them informed with a blog about her adventures.

Meanwhile an unsuccessful investment means Douglas (Bill Nighy) and his wife (Penelope Wilton) are also looking for cheap accommodations. To be fair, Jean’s plans for her golden years did not include this much uncertainty and she is vehement about her unhappiness. Finally, despite their advancing years and fading looks, Madge (Celia Imrie) and Norman (Ronald Pickup) are two singles still on the prowl for sexual encounters of any kind they can score.

Juggling this many storylines can be overwhelming. But Director John Madden has assembled a quality cast of experienced actors, complete with wrinkles, range and expressive eyebrows. The colorful Indian street scenes and unfamiliar faces of secondary characters help hold the audiences attention as well.

However for all the positive adaptations these aging seniors embrace in this new chapter of their lives, many of their decisions seem rash in spite of the supposed wisdom that comes with life experience. While happiness shouldn’t be denied to anyone of any age, I have to wonder if the choices many of them are making will only cause more disappointment down the road.

Directed by John Madden . Starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Dev Patel. Running time: 124 minutes. Theatrical release May 4, 2012. Updated

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel rated PG-13? The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sexual content and language throughout.

Violence: Brief domestic arguments are portrayed between a married couple, parents and children.

Sexual Content: A man and woman read the erotic Hindu text Kama Sutra. A man is seen showering (no explicit nudity). A homosexual man discusses his young gay lover whom he later meets up with. A woman talks about her lover’s uses of a male drug. A woman repeatedly talks about her need for sex. A young woman disrobes and climbs into bed with another person. Another woman accuses the young woman of selling herself for sex. A couple kisses.

Language: A single strong sexual expletive along with a handful of racial slurs and terms of Christian deity are used.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters drink in social settings on several occasions. A man smokes a cigar. A reference is made to an illegal drug.

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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Parents' Guide

What are the challenges that seniors may face when it comes to financing their retirement? How do downturns in the economy affect many of those on a fixed income? What responsibility do children have to support their parents?

Who in this story embraced the new location? What did they do differently than those who did not adjust well? Why are people often enticed to believe a new relationship will be better than the one they are currently in?

How does regret play into the lives of many of these characters?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movie is September 18, 2012. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Release Date: 18 September 2012

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel releases to home video on DVD or Blu-ray. Both packages offer the following bonus extras:

- Behind the Story: Lights, Colors and Smiles

- Casting Legends

The Blu-ray version also includes:

- Welcome to the “Real” Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

- Trekking to India: “Life is Never the Same”

- Tuk Tuk Travels

Related home video titles:

India is also the setting in the movies Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Eat, Pray, Love. Another group of travelers find their accommodations a little less hospitable than they imaged in The Great Muppets Caper. Other characters have to come to terms with aging in Wild Hogs, Larry Crowne, Last Chance Harvey and On a Clear Day.

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