--- title: "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel" critics_score: 59 critics_reviews: 21 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012): what the critics said Critics' score 59 from 21 reviews: 10 positive, 5 mixed, 6 negative. The consensus is mixed, though praise for the ensemble runs through favourable and sceptical reviews alike. Judi Dench and Tom Wilkinson receive particular attention for giving familiar material emotional weight, while Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith are also frequently singled out. The more enthusiastic critics find the film warm, funny and hopeful about ageing, accepting its predictable turns as a limitation rather than a fatal flaw. Even some less persuaded reviewers acknowledge the cast’s charm and the pleasure of the lighter exchanges. The divide is wide over whether those performances compensate for schematic writing and shallow characterisation. Several reviews find the sentiment comforting; others find it patronising. The Guardian objects to stereotypes of British retirees and neglect of the local world, while Eye for Film praises the depiction of Jaipur. Predictability is a common reservation across the spread, with additional complaints about excessive length, broad humour and underdeveloped younger characters. ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. Jones finds the film a feel-good story about resilience, though it becomes slightly predictable. He praises Dev Patel’s subtle performance and the transformative effect of the pensioners’ shared experiences. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-8nimuz/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2012. Rooney finds the film a warmly satisfying, pleasure-filled story, despite its schematic screenplay and predictable turns. He particularly praises the sensitive performances, singling out Tom Wilkinson’s tender portrayal of Graham’s regret. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/best-exotic-marigold-hotel-film-287357/) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2012. Sharkey finds the comedy’s infectious charm and hopefulness outweigh its predictable moments. She especially praises the ensemble, with Judi Dench’s portrayal of Evelyn singled out as moving. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-may-04-la-et-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-20120504-story.html) ## Empire — Anna Smith Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 February 2012. Smith finds the comedy-drama enjoyable, charming and amusing, though Muriel’s racism is overused for laughs. She praises the light humour and the spark between Judi Dench and Bill Nighy. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/best-exotic-marigold-hotel-review/) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film polished and engaging despite its conventional approach. Dench’s wide-ranging performance and the cast’s work earn particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-2) ## Variety — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2012. Felperin finds the comedy-drama frequently droll and likable, though predictable and occasionally overstuffed. She praises the seasoned cast for giving the material emotional resonance and landing its wry lines. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-1117947118/) ## Screen Daily — Mark Adams Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2012. The page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is not visible in the accessible text. The paywall also hides what the critic singled out for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel/5038246.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). The page did not provide the review text, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is available to report. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/movies/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-with-judi-dench.html) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 20 August 2018. The critic finds the film clichéd but ultimately warm and human. They single out Maggie Smith’s presence and the touching performances by Tom Wilkinson and Bill Nighy as its strengths. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2012/05/best-exotic-marigold-hotel-is-sweet-but-clichd.html) ## Time Out — Ben Walters Rating 2/5. 10 November 2011. The 2/5 rating indicates a negative verdict. The available description singles out the film’s premise of British retirees relocating to Jaipur, but the review text is unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel) ## Total Film — Mark Samuels Rating 2/5. 13 February 2012. The critic finds the film’s cosy comedy shallow, with its pleasure in the ensemble cast quickly wearing thin. They single out its reliance on Indian clichés and light laughs instead of the novel’s deeper concerns. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-review/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The review finds the film sentimental and dramatically facile, despite some fun in its star cast. It singles out Tom Wilkinson’s performance as the sad gay judge as the one element that transcends the film’s weaknesses. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-review-7499324.html) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 17 July 2012. The critic finds the film flat, faulting its shallow characterization and thin portrayal of India despite its accomplished cast. The jokes are singled out as the film’s main strength, though many feel generic and are already featured in the trailer. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/understanding-screenwriting-96-battleship-the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-mad-men-more/) ## The Guardian — Philip French Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 26 February 2012. French finds the film shallow and patronising, despite being not wholly untruthful. He criticises its stereotyping of British retirees and its neglect of the local world. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/feb/26/best-exotic-marigold-hotel-review) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 February 2012. The critic finds the film sweet, moving and emotionally engaging, with a meaningful message about ageing. They single out the seasoned cast, especially Tom Wilkinson’s touching story and Judi Dench’s central performance, while noting that Maggie Smith’s character transformation feels unconvincing. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a362047/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2012. The critic finds the film predictable but irresistibly crowd-pleasing and satisfying. They praise the accomplished cast, especially Judi Dench and Tom Wilkinson, for bringing humor and poignancy to the material. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/best-exotic-marigold-hotel-review-sweet-and-funny-fantasy-retirees-38496/) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 February 2012. Festival review. Wilkinson finds the film warmly enjoyable despite broad humor and predictable turns. She praises the veteran cast and the vivid depiction of Jaipur, while criticizing the comparatively weak youth storyline. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) ## HeyUGuys — Adam Lowes Rating 3.5/5. 24 February 2012. The review finds the film gentle, entertaining and charming despite its predictable plot. It particularly praises the ensemble cast, singling out Judi Dench’s performance and narration. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-review/) ## Paste — Jeremy Mathews Rating 5.8. 8 May 2012. Mathews finds the film pleasant but lethargic, with weak writing and an overly cute ending that undercuts its character depth. He praises Bill Nighy’s performance and the film’s warm, eye-catching visuals. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 3/5. 16 February 2012. Lambie finds it pleasant, watchable entertainment despite a predictable plot and excessive length. He especially praises Maggie Smith’s performance and the warm, witty script. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-review/) ## The Skinny — Jamie Dunn Rating ★★. 18 February 2012. Festival review. Dunn finds the film schematic, though its cast makes it frothy and entertaining. He praises the performers’ ability to elevate the dialogue but objects to a subplot that plays as tabloid wish fulfillment. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/cineskinny/gff-2012-the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel.md