The greatest risk of a movie like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel would be the one-dimensional fetishizing of the country, where India is held up as a magical bazaar. Thankfully, the movie doesn't do that.
At last a film celebrating the last years of life in blazing glory set in the joyful splendor of Udaipur, India. The writing is witty and quick, while the scenery is lush with an abundance of flowers in bold primary colors.
Participant's mission with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is to stimulate seniors to continued lives of adventure and contribution. As someone old enough for Medicare, I am all for that.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the kind of movie they seldom make anymore -- except in England. When they try to do it in America, you wind up with something like Garry Marshall's New Year's Eve -- or worse.