
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
7.2
77%
62
7.0
A newly widowed British woman and six fellow retirees discover unexpected work, friendship, romance, and renewal in a struggling Jaipur hotel.
Ember's analysis
- MoodBright
- EnergyEnergetic
- PacingMeasured
- IntensityModerate
- ComplexityLayered
- ViolenceNone
More about the film
Overview
A group of retirees embarks on an unexpected journey to India, where they discover more than just a hotel.
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film charming and emotionally engaging, with its veteran ensemble carrying a conventional but appealing cross-cultural comedy-drama.
What sets it apart
- Evelyn, Graham, Douglas, Jean, Muriel, Madge, and Norman each pursue different forms of renewal at the hotel.
- The elderly British guests must negotiate everyday life, social expectations, and economic realities in Jaipur.
- Widowhood, retirement, financial loss, health concerns, and romantic disappointment lead the guests toward new possibilities.
- Sonny's failing Marigold Hotel gathers the travelers and becomes the practical center of their changing lives.
Films like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and why
- Calendar Girlsshared ensemble comedy-drama structure, older protagonists, cross-cultural adjustment, and themes of reinvention
- The Full Montyshared warm character ensemble, British humor, personal renewal, and an uplifting response to life transitions
- A Good Yearshared cross-cultural setting, optimistic emotional tone, and stories of people finding new purpose later in life
- Ladies in Lavendershared ensemble of adults confronting disappointment, friendship, and renewed possibility in an unfamiliar community
Movie Details
- Director
- John Madden
- Release Date
- 2012-02-23
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1506)
Common questions
- What is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel about?
- A newly widowed British woman and six fellow retirees discover unexpected work, friendship, romance, and renewal in a struggling Jaipur hotel.
- What is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
- What did critics think of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?
- Critics broadly found the film charming and emotionally engaging, with its veteran ensemble carrying a conventional but appealing cross-cultural comedy-drama.
- Which films are like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?
- Films with a similar feel include Calendar Girls, The Full Monty, A Good Year, and Ladies in Lavender.
- How long is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?
- In United States, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel streams on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
Cast
- John MaddenDirector
- Bill NighyDouglas Ainslie
- Maggie SmithMuriel Donnelly
- Tom WilkinsonGraham Dashwood
- Judi DenchEvelyn Greenslade
- Dev PatelSonny Kapoor
- Penelope WiltonJean Ainslie
- Celia ImrieMadge Hardcastle
- Ronald PickupNorman Cousins
- Tina DesaiSunaina
- Lillete DubeyMrs. Kapoor





















