《涉外大酒店》

"The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" blooms with a strong British cast whose characters move to India for their golden years, only to find the surroundings filled with the unexpected.

Sounds like a dream, or a scheme, and in truth it's a bit of both as neither life nor the "Marigold Hotel" turn out exactly as one might wish. But when the bags are packed with pride, prejudice*, problems and prospects by some of the United Kingdom's best *****- including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith *****- it makes the trip worth taking.

Complementing all that aging grace is Dev Patel, the breakout* star of "Slumdog Millionaire," as the irrepressible* young owner of the Marigold. Aptly* named Sonny, he is trying ever so hard to gloss over any rough patches *****- at the hotel and in his life or his guests'.

It all makes for a movie whose infectious* charm outweighs some of the predictability that slips in around the edges.

The movie starts with director John Madden, who is always adept at spinning a yarn*; here, he has completely embraced the whimsy* of screenwriter Ol Parker's adaptation of Deborah Moggach's novel "These Foolish Things," about "outsourcing" one's retirement to India.

That country's Rajasthan region, where the film is set, lends its exotic temples, emerging industry and teeming humanity to provide a vibrant* backdrop, and it's beautifully shot by cinematographer* Ben Davis.

Evelyn (Dench), who will become the central voice of the film as she launches a blog to record her India adventure, is a recent widow* who finds the husband she trusted left her with debts she never imagined.

Graham (Wilkinson) is the youngest, a 50ish judge who opts for early retirement to deal with unresolved issues in India, where he lived as a boy and first fell in love. Providing most of the conflict are the long-married, ill-matched Douglas (Nighy) and Jean (Penelope Wilton).

Completing the set *****- the filmmakers want to make sure they have all the types covered *****- is the never-married Muriel (Smith), who managed someone else's household affairs and is facing a hip replacement, and the saucy singles Madge (Celia Imrie) and Norman (Ronald Pickup), both still hoping to score a rich mate.

One by one, each character faces life-changing and challenging moments, which require that they either embrace or reject the possibility of transformation*. Sonny has his own trials *****- how to save the hotel and win the heart of his girlfriend, and obtain his mother's acceptance of both. (SD-Agencies)