Ed's Review Dot Com

Participant Media, Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ, Blueprint Pictures,

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Tom Wilkinson, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Dev Patel, Tena Desae, Sid Makkar

A variety of elder British subjects are finding it hard to survive. They all have different problems, different issues, but they all are trying to get by on a meager budget. An brochure shows up of an Indian palace for only elderly people where for a small amount you can stay and enjoy paradise. As they arrive, the harsh reality of how it really is. But the young manager, trying to make the best of his investment, despite the contemptuous way his high class mother treats him. This is the adventure of a bunch of folks trying to get by and making the best of their situation.

This was a charming film. It’s an ensemble piece, and there are many stories going on at the same time. Most of them are very interesting, and the pace is slow and relaxing, and the character development is meticulously done. There are a lot of stars here, but none of them steal the show. It’s the entire cast together that makes it very interesting. The relationship of the hotel manager and his fiance who his mother despises goes through a lot and plays a major part of the story, but it is well done. Each of the stories gets it’s fair share, and all in all, when the fairly long film ends (it’s over 2 hours) it’s very fulfilling. There are hilarious moments, but mature humor, not the high school potty humor of most films today. This is probably not a film that younger folks are going to enjoy. But those of us in the sunset of our lives will identify with the problems these folks have. It’s very British, but here in the U.S. if things go like they are going, we’re headed for many of the same issues, where older folks will not be able to afford to live, and, like one of the characters who needs hip surgery, places like India will make up for the months and months of waiting for a chance to have a procedure like that done under socialized medicine. There is a monologue Sonny (Dev Patel) makes about the idea of outsourcing old people (we’ll take what these countries don’t want) to India, and it sounds reasonable. This may be the next stop for India, taking our social security checks in return for a life of curry and rice. Hey, anything can happen.

All in all, I was pleased with this film. The cinematography was brilliantly done, giving us the feel of India like as if we’ve actually been there. The story is very good, slow developing, but rich in character and charm, and the acting is superb. If you feel up for a brilliantly done dramatic film, this is a good choice. I really enjoyed it.

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