HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

In honor of my dad Alejandro Lim ~  on Father's Day ~ I am wearing one of his numerous shirts I ambushed from his closet, because I recall how happy he was that I found his 1970s disco fab shirt & pimpin' fierce boots to match my fashion sensibilities. More importantly, despite our 40+ year age gap, slight language barrier (he being very Chinese and myself growing up bi-culturally Filipino/Chinese), and being on the opposite ends of the Kinsey scale, his burgundy & brown geometrically lined polyester shirt and camel leather custom made boots bridged a gap and made us feel closer to each other. 

The Chinese-Filipino / Filipino-Chinese generations leading up to mine may not have equated fathers as the warm-and-fuzzy icon of a Hallmark card. But I recall moments of tenderness, and more importantly communication without pressures of expectation or judgment. I recall his hearty laughter when I used to mimic mom's chain smoking dragon lady mah-jong gal pal as she'd hurl Chinese expletives at out our barking dog in between puffs of Philip Morris. I recall his concern and wish that I have a child at some point in my life. 

However far I've landed from his hopes and dreams of his son, I hope to pave a road of success that he can share. I may have seen glimpses of his smile  which I take as a sign of approbation ~ something not easily attainable by any means. And somehow wearing his wardrobe of yesteryears - which retains a fashion forward edge - seems highly appropriate and fitting. Happy Father's Day!

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – A Review

It has been said that one must never forget where one comes from, yet one must also know where one is going.  “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a heart warming coming-of-golden-age ensemble comedy featuring seven British retirees in search of greener pastures, surprisingly rediscovering themselves in a Third World country. Set in Jaipur, India, this film is as robust in color as it is studded with a stellar ensemble.

Told thru the perspective of recently widowed Evelyn Greenslade,attentively crafted by Dame Judi Dench (“Shakespeare In Love”),  we are introduced to her and her travel companions via a montage of their personal histories. We have the romantically and financially bereft Douglas  and Jean Ainslie served up to realistically unsettling Harold Pinter heights by Bill Nighy (“Love Actually”) and Penelope Wilton (“Downtown Abbey”).  The sensual singleton, Madge Hardcastle, is refreshingly portrayed by Celia Imrie (“Calendar Girls”) while her equally frisky counterpart,Norman Cousins, is portrayed by Ronald Pickup (“Fortunes of War”). The Parliament judge, Graham Dashwood, fleshed out brilliantly by Tom Wilkinson (“”The Exorcism of Emily Rose”), longsto adjourn unresolved matters of his younger heart.  Last, but certainly not the least, is a medical tourist in dire need of a hip(and attitude) replacement, Muriel Donnelly, wheeled in by Dame Maggie Smith replete with ignorant fear of everything foreign (including Indians). Once assembled in a row of airport seats due to a cancelled connecting flight, you are treated to this chorus line of British veteran thespians as their characters embark on a longnight’s journey towards their much longed for oasis.

They are welcomed by the highly energetic and youthful Sonny Kapoor,  intelligently presented by “Slumdog Millionaire” star Dev Patel. His natural and charming delivery of saccharin and nearlydiabetic positivity ~ apparently a directorial choice by John Madden (“Shakespeare In Love”) ~ poignantly balances the obviously dilapidated hotel which was over represented by a photoshopped advertisement.  While the guests are forced to confront their mirror of personal foibles in practically uninhabitable accommodations, Sonny’s rhythmically volleyed anecdotes water the roots of their newly developed friendships. One in particular which has resonated as far as my facebook status states ~ “Everything will be alright in the end. And if it’s not alright, then it’s not yet the end.”

The somewhat formulaic and predictable outcome is but a slight crack through which nothing falls, thanks to a formidable cast. This is an heirloom worth seeing and sharing with viewers of all ages. And how refreshingly “exotic”  to feature an under represented demographic ripe with a harvest of wisdom and experience. Just as marigold flowers are favored as companion plants, this motley crew’s Third World travels upgrades them to first class connections with lasting friendships and love.