DVD tip "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"

A lot of people loooooooooved this film. My reaction was more: Eh. I had great expectations going in, considering "Marigold" stars a couple o' dames - Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, a divine acting duo if ever there was one - and a cast overrun with other acting heavyhitters, from Tom Wilkinson to Bill Nighy. But the plots in this tale of British senior citizens who retire to India are woefully predictable. Will the kindly husband saddled with a nasty-nag wife find the strength to leave her by the closing credits? I'd be OK if the trip to the resolution was a little more interesting. "Marigold" is nothing extraordinary, but maybe I shouldn't have thought the movie would match the cast's sterling abilities. If you go in not anticipating something truly great, I can see how "Marigold" might serve as a good comfort-food DVD for home viewing.

- KRISTINA DORSEY