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Exotic Fiction

What do you get when you drop a clan of A-list Brits into the distant land of Jaipur, India? "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", which looks quite a bit like sentimental travel porn. Not to say that's a bad thing.  This is a sweet, contrived tale of snarky seniors finding their way late in life amid the hustle and bustle of a foreign country. It's as obvious as a toddler hiding, but hey, it's pleasant.

Adapted from Deborah Moggach's novel "These Foolish Things", the story focuses on a group of retired British strangers. They decide to live out their last chapter abroad in a hotel after seeing an ad that made it look rather glamorous. It's not, naturally, as the young manager (Dev Patel) is high on enthusiasm but low on business savvy. The phones don't ring, some rooms are missing doors, and there are more bugs than guests. But it's a hotel for the "elderly and beautiful", and it's a lot more affordable than anything in England.

The inhabitants are Graham (Tom Wilkinson), a former judge who wants to answer a nagging question from his past; a mismatched, unhappily-married couple (Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilton); a recent widow (Judi Dench) trying to recapture happiness; Muriel (Maggie Smith), a racist ex-housekeeper in need of a new hip; and two people who have little to do besides declare their loneliness (Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup). Director John Madden ("Shakespeare in Love") and writer Ol Parker ensure that the cast will find collective redemption and someone will croak.

What works best is the top-tier level of acting, which is to be expected when half these names appear in a film, and the dry British humor that never stops. (One character says he's gay, though lately "more in theory than in practice," and another snaps "When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you.") Equally prevalent, though, is the sappiness, with the recurring line, "Everything will be all right in the end... if it's not all right then it's not the end." Hmm, guess what kind of finale is coming.

"The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" is a harmless, agreeable story that will not blow anyone's mind but will likely evoke a happier mood. It's like staying at a resort: smile, turn off your brain, and enjoy the sunshine.