Penny Thoughts ‘12—The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012) ***

PG-13, 124 min.

Director: John Madden

Writers: Ol Parker, Deborah Moggach (novel “These Foolish Things”)

Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel, Penelope Wilton, Tom Wilkinson, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Tena Desae, Lillete Dubey

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a great title. It’s an enjoyable movie. It’s exactly what I expected it to be. Nothing more. Nothing less.

The hotel of the title is located in India and is marketed toward “the elderly & the beautiful.” The owner/operator is really just a kid who is trying to provide a place for people nobody wants to deal with anymore. Really, it’s an excuse to watch some wonderful senior British actors be charming and funny and dramatic. It works for that.

The excellent cast represents several different British senior types thrown together in a situation where most of them are out of their comfort zones. They travel to India for their various reasons and learn how live with the idea of being old but not dead. It’s all very charming and predictable, but it’s fun. And after reading the cast list I provided above, that’s really all you need to know about this movie.