We meet Marigold in the airport, she is late for her flight to Bombay and lies her way onto the plane, yelling at her agent on her cellphone the whole way.  We get the message, she’s obnoxious.  It doesn’t take much to knock her down a few pegs, as she’s stranded in India with no job and no luggage.  Opportunity presents itself in the form of a role in a Bollywood film, and she takes it, even knowing that she is unqualified because she can’t dance.  Her handsome choreographer, Prem, rescues her and the two fall in love.

There is a clash of cultures, and a few obstacles to overcome before we can have our happy ending.  Meanwhile we get the requisite Bollywood dance numbers and some broad humor.  The costumes are just beautiful – the whole movie looks like one big fantasy.  And of course the setting is breathtaking.

It’s a corny romantic comedy, but I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Robin Williams plays the comedian in question – and this is the best role he’s had in a long time. He’s sweet and smart and laugh-out-loud funny. The story is really kind of dark. There’s the election, and some “discrepancies” and a cover up, some big questions are raised. This might be considered mandatory viewing before our November elections! Laura Linney is the whistle-blower/love interest – she’s always good.

I really liked the movie, I was just a little uncomfortable when I was expecting a comic farce and instead I got something thought-provoking and a little sinister.

Sophie has read her mother’s old diary and discovered that she has three possible fathers.  She decides to secretly invite each of the men to figure out which one is her dad.  And they all show up, all at the same time! Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgaard play the three confused gentlemen who hold their own in the song and dance department.    Also at the hotel for the wedding are Donna’s two BFFs, her former back-up singers (Christine Baranski and Julie Walters).

This is fun summer fare, the kind of “take me away” movie we all need given the heavy alternatives we have to deal with.  It’s like a little Greek vacation.  You’ll walk away with a smile on your face and an ABBA song in your heart!

Chronologically, Michelle Monaghan is just the right age for her character, almost 30.  But I don’t buy Patrick Dempsey as 32.  I felt he was a little too old for the role.  But they could have changed the script just a little bit to have it make more sense – I don’t know why they didn’t.

Anyhow, Hannah goes to Scotland on business for six weeks and during this time Tom wakes up to the fact that they are meant to be together.  Unfortunately for him, Hannah comes back engaged to a handsome, rich, sweet Scottish man who has swept her off her feet.  Since Tom is her best friend, Hannah asks him to be her maid of honor.  He reluctantly accepts, thinking he can win her over in the process.  With the help of his buddies, Tom has a plan.  Hilarity ensues.  Nice location shots in Scotland, some over-the-top humor, and an appropriately happy ending.