The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel/We Bought a Zoo/The Descendants (DVD)

A set of three dramas. The comedy 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' (2011), follows the experiences of a group of elderly Brits, including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith, who arrive to take up residence in a newly-opened retirement home in Bangalore, India. Despite its glossy publicity campaign, the Marigold turns out to be rather different from the refurbished luxury hotel advertised in the brochures. However, it soon begins to reveal some unexpected charms of its own. In 'We Bought a Zoo' (2011), Matt Damon stars as newly widowed Benjamin, who is finding life difficult trying to raise his two young children. Urged on by his father, Duncan (Thomas Haden Church), to start over, he decides to purchase a rundown zoo in the countryside in the hope that it will bring his family together again. Having to care for 47 species, and with his friends thinking he's mad, Benjamin sets out to restore the zoo to its former glory with the help of a small but loyal staff led by Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson). Finally, in 'The Descendants' (2011), trustee for a large estate, Matt King (George Clooney) has had a fairly easy life to date. Living in the tropical island of Hawaii, with his financial future secure, King has grown complacent to an extent that is only brought home to him when a boating accident sends his wife, Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie), into a coma. Left in sole charge of the daughters he has largely neglected, Scottie (Amara Miller) and Alex (Shailene Woodley), Matt is called to face his responsibilities as an adult. However, when he discovers that Elizabeth had been having an affair in the months leading up to the accident, a test of his newfound emotional maturity is presented. The film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.