The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Family Movie Review

movie review rating guide for parents and families

MPAA Rating
PG-13

for sexual content and language

Genre
Drama, Comedy

Director
John Madden

Starring
Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith

Studio
Fox Searchlight

Release Date/In Theaters
5/4/2012

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie Summary

Enchanted by great marketing, a group of British retirees decide to move to the newly restored Marigold Hotel in India where their savings will support a much more luxurious lifestyle. What they find is a run down palace and a lifestyle far less luxurious than portrayed. Amidst their dismay they find life and love to be far more enriching than their past.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie Review for Parents

-by Ginger

            The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a charming drama about making the best of your senior years. It is the story of seven clandestine couples in their golden years who decide to go to India for an unexpected adventure. The ads in the magazine made the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel look like the Taj Mahal. Expecting a retired life of decadence, these couples set out for the retirement experience of a life time. However, when they arrive, they are in for more surprises than they ever imagined and this parental guide to the movies has the scoop.

            When the couples arrive at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the couples are not greeted by the opulence of a Prince and Princess; it is more like a glorified barn, complete with pigeons in the master bedroom. The experience turns out to be less than expected, but none the less, the couples are stuck and have to find a way to make the best of the experience. They struggle with deciding whether to stay or go back to America, but life has more in store for them. The couples soon find themselves renewing relationships and having one of the richest experiences of their life, even though their living conditions resemble the poorest.

            This is a grand and wonderful story about life and renewal. It is about getting a second chance and about love that is eternal. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movie is rated PG-13 for language and sexual content, not exactly what this family guide to the movies would expect to be writing about a movie geared towards an elderly, but still young at heart audience. Just because they are in their golden years does not mean they are dead. There are comments in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movie about intended sexual activities among the couples. There is drinking, and smoking a little funny tobacco (referred to as “apple tobacco” by the character). The characters are British so there are a lot of “hells” and “bloodies” strewn about the place.

            From the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel trailer, one might not expect to find such content in the movie, but it is there. Perhaps the most surprising content is from Maggie Smith’s character, Muriel. She has an apparent racist attitude towards the Indian people. This was the most disturbing content of all. It is apparent that the other characters do not share in her attitude, but her character is a strong presence in the movie. This might not be something that one would want their children to see. Of course, that is up to every parent to decide for themselves, but it was surprising content to find in a movie such as this one.

            The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was a charming movie, but it was obviously meant for an older audience. It addresses many issues that affect older adults. This family movie review feels that it would be okay to take preteens to the movie, as long as the previously mentioned warnings are taken into consideration. There are probably better choices in terms of family friendly movies for children, as they will probably not be able to relate to this one. Also, expect an older audience at the theaters to see the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel who will not likely be as tolerant of children as other movie audiences.