Hi Meltingpot Readers,
If unlike me, you’re not racing around the city this afternoon looking for a beret for you son’s Halloween mime costume and then spending the evening in a church basement carving pumpkins with your kids, you might want a recommendation for a good movie to watch tonight.
If that is the case, I highly suggest you rent, download, borrow a copy of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, brew a cup of chai and snuggle in for the night. I watched this movie last weekend with my mom, who was in town for a visit. She actually selected the movie, and as a recent retiree, I can see why this was her choice.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is about life after retirement. It kind of asks and answers the question; What do you do with the rest of your life, once mainstream society is done with you? What do you do with that second act? In the film, a random group of English elders decides to find their answers in India.
With a stellar cast of British heavyweights, including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy, as well as Indian cutie, Dev Patel, the movie is quietly appealing. Each character travels to India with their own hopes and dreams for Life 2.0 and of course, none of those dreams come to fruition, starting with the shabby state of their new home away from home, the titular Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. On the one hand, the movie could be seen as depressing as death, widowhood, and the loss of physical strength and beauty are major themes of the film. But on the other hand, each character champions their demons in their own way, with the chaos and beauty of India guiding them down divergent paths. Here’s a link to the trailer. Check it out!
I really liked this movie, and watching with my mom was really insightful, as it sparked a conversation about her own impending Life 2.0. And of course I enjoyed the visuals of the Indian landscape. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you spend the night in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Let me know how you like it. I’m listening.
Peace!
