Aging As Defined In The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
and again in Quartet
How do I determine what I watch for movie entertainment? I’m a “Boomer.” I look for movies that depict the issues affecting my generation that are poignant with humour. I love a good romance but it needs to have something I can identify with. I also look for entertainment that doesn’t degrade anyone purposefully as in modern TV comedy shows. If you want to find entertaining, uplifting, & educational movies, then you might want to try these 2 movies.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has an all-star cast of women including Dame Judy Dench, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, and Celia Imrie. The male compliment is no less talented with Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Ronald Pickup, and Dev Patel. Five of these actors are BAFTA (British Academy of Film And Television Arts) winners and one is a nominee. At the time the film was made the age range of these actors was from 60 to 78. Since then only one has died and that is Ronald Pickup who was 80 at his passing in February 2021.
The plot takes us on an adventure with 7 Britons who travel to a hotel in Jaipur that caters to older clientele. At the opening scene, we see a recently widowed woman struggling with modern technology and the realization that her late husband had mishandled the finances. Additionally, her surviving family tell her where she is to live and with whom. Her family is positive she can't cope with the realities of managing without a male in charge. Another traveler lived in Jaipur forty years ago and left in a scandal regarding forbidden love. The only couple to take the journey do so because they have lost all their pension funds but hope to recoup the losses when their daughter's business gets going. Two of the travelers are looking for love but in reality, they are lonely and seek a partner for their golden years. The last of the 7 is a racist and bitter woman who needs a hip replacement and doesn't want to wait in England for 6 months. She is offered a much speedier option in Jaipur which leads to a prodigious epiphany.
What makes this film memorable is the portrayal of the frailties of the mind. Each of the 7 guests come with emotional and financial baggage and one with a life threatening disease. The film takes us through the initial shock of a new culture and a run down hotel. Then several crisis bring the viewer on a journey of a death, finding a lost love, the breakdown of a marriage, the realization that companionship holds undefined riches, and understanding that life is meant to be lived in each moment one has left.
Another all-star cast, many of which are aged members of such ostentatious institutions as The London Symphony, English National Opera, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, D'Oyly Carte Opera Company NY, and many other equally prestigious performing arts venues. A photo from Quartet of each supporting cast member of retired musicians flashes on the screen beside a picture of them during their performing careers and the time frame they were in that venue.
Maggie Smith again shows us her dry wit along side Scottish comedian Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay of stage and film fame and Pauline Collins also of stage and film round out the main characters. The music played and sung is performed by the cast as most of the "retirees" are, in truth, retired musicians, actors, and singers! The film deals with usual interpersonal relationships but with the added difficulties of old age and the problems caring for those who haven't the means to once retirement funds run out. The entire film revolves around an annual gala the residents perform in order to raise funding to keep the retired performers home running.
This film is remarkable in that it highlights that the experiences of one's life do matter. A misstep in a relationship can cause untold decades of anger, sorrow, and longing. When at last the truth comes out, well, you will need to watch the movie to find out.
The population of the earth has been aging and until recently, the Baby Boomer bracket were the largest population. As of 2019, the Millennials are now the most populous group. Finding good programing that enables the older generation to identify with the characters can be challenging. In the era of COVID 19 lockdown, finding unique, endearing, well acted, and thought evoking programing for the "Boomer" consumer may find you starting with these 2 movies: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) and Quartet (2012).
Both films will entertain as well as provide the viewer with elements of reflection. Humor, tragedy, rumination, and addressing the realities of aging are aspects of life often ignored by the entertainment world. Getting older doesn't mean that one is dying, it simply means that the life already lived is gone and what we do with what is left will define how well we thrive in a world that caters to the under 50's!
About the Creator
Lady Karina Benish
An American lass living in Scotland. I'm a regular competitor in the Highland Games who has met, shaken the hand of, and conversed with Prince Charles! My passion includes singing all over Scotland, a keen artist actor, poet, and writer.
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