Another fabulous movie I hadn't seen before, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" has everything that those bad Jack Nicholson movies, "As Good As It Gets" (see my review ) and the horrible "Something's Gotta Give", did not have, and with less than half the overt sleaze factor of the latter.  I loved this movie too much. Yes, it had some of the same flaws: ridiculously fast and grand change in some characters, and a somewhat pat ending to some of the story lines.  But since it had several interesting interweaving lines, I found it most satisfying.

So here's my lament: it was so good and happy and hopeful an ending, that I found it depressing on a personal level.  Let's look back at my concluding remarks from the review of "As Good As It Gets":

And here's a kicker I think I was relieved that the ending didn't do much for me - Carol shouldn't end up with Melvin, this is not a beautiful, romantic outcome.  And if she did end up with a perfect guy I would hate it, because it would make me feel even more hopeless and envious..

But I was quite desirous of the final situation of all the characters in "Marigold", so...

"Everything will be all right in the end; so if it is not all right, then it cannot be the end."  What a lovely idea.  So why does it make me cry?

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Stuff I was thinking about, wanted to write a couple weeks ago:

Court is awful. Paying legal fees, worrying whether everything is accurate yet helpful, feeling like your fate is up to the decision of another human, who has never met you before, and only knows an hour or two about your situation.

In reflection, this second time was slightly easier, mostly just for being a 2nd visit. I was more confident which building I needed to reach, knew what I  needed to bring, what to expect.  The bailiff recognized me.

I couldn't get to sleep for hours the night before, even with a shot of mashka.  Thought about what I needed to say, actually wrote down some note cards.  In the end, almost none of it was actually said.  Isn't that always the way with things one thinks to say in the middle of the night?

Wasband looked so vulnerable - couldn't answer questions, or had poor answers.  I so wanted to answer the questions he couldn't - not to help necessarily, probably more to show-off "I know, I know!"  But it was just overwhelming to see him vulnerable; I don't think I've seen him in similar distress for even one hour since I have known him.  Why can't we just work together?!  Why does it always have to be so destructive? 
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 I don't know yet the outcome.  Monetarily, I think only the lawyers will come out ahead.  But maybe I am stronger because of it?  It's not all right, but then, I know it's not the end...

Post Script:  looking back, I apparently  enjoyed "As Good As It Gets", even if not for the plot.  But I guess it was overshadowed by "Something's Got To Give", which I saw a month or so later.  A real stinker.  Who are these casting directors who think Jack Nicholson is so attractive????