Abfab in India

And Lo, there came amongst us another great English film with a wondrous British cast. 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' was a film I heard great things of but what clinched it for me was the thought of another performance by Judy Dench. As most Baby Boomers with parents, I have watched hours of 'As Time Goes By' and come to love the Judy Dench persona but the 'J.Edgar' Dench was a different kettle of fish altogether. A darkness emanated from that woman that was chilling and made the madnes of J.Edgar almost touching by comparison.

I also covet any film with Penelope Wilton in it since her frail and dear Mrs Hamly in 'Wives and Daughters'. She is the very antithesis in this and managed to take on a physical vigour which was a knockout by comparison. Maggie Smith is fabulous and Bill Nighy moving and funny with a speech to make you cry if ever there was one. And who has not had his ill advised advice about 'Bargaining in foreign parts'? It all takes place in India where Celia Imrie, Tom Wilkinson and Ronald Pickup confront their fates.

We are all moving in into this shadowland and dealing with it with as much of our better natures as we can muster. Here are a few fellow travellers with a bit of insight along the way.