The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

This film should have been better. It just should have been as it had a great cast, full of famous and talented British people: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton and the young but still talented Dev Patel.
These people are all retired and want to make some changes in their lives, some for pleasure, others out of necessity. Maggie Smith hates all that are not white, but she needs hip surgery and does not have the money to have it done in Britain, thus she is outsourced. She goes, albeit reluctantly. Judi Dench plays Evelyn, a recent widow, whose husband left her deep in debt, thus she goes because it is cheaper there. Tom Wilkinson goes to seek out a lost love, who turns out to be someone who you least expected. He's homosexual and the man he seeks out is a former servant of his. And then he dies, but at least he can die happy. Penelope Wilton and Bill Nighy are the only married couple among the group, though they are unhappy, for Penelope often flirts with Tom and becomes quite upset upon learning that he is gay. Bill is enjoying India, while Penelope struggles with the adjustment and towards the tail end of the film, leaves, alone. She tells Bill that she's done. Ronald Pickup and Celia Imrie (the two least known stars) stay put. Celia sets Ronald up with this rich British woman staying at another hotel. However, it is Maggie and Judi who thrive the most. Judi finds a job, her first in her life and loves it. Maggie recovers from her surgery, comes around to those different from her and eventually gets a job helping Dev run the hotel.
The hotel has struggles of its own. Dev is deep in debt. At least, the hotel doesn't even have operating telephones. Dev also tries to woo a beautiful girl, played by Tena Desae, to the chagrin of her family.
In the end, everyone is happy. Dev's mother comes around; the hotel stays in business and Judi finds love again with Bill. Dev and Tena are also happy together.
Though the film has its good moments, especially when Maggie Smith reveals her true history. She was a servant in a large house, but after awhile, the family hires another servant. Maggie takes the new person under her wing and shows her the ropes, but then the family fires her; she was no longer necessary. And there are some funny moments, but ultimately, the film did not really teach a lesson or inspire people to change their lives in anyway. Grade: B