Comedy | Drama

Director: John Madden

Writer: Ol Parker (screenplay)

Stars: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy - posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself. (c) Fox Searchlight

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is just as charming and delightful as the original, not-so-surprise hit movie. (I wasn’t shocked because I worked at a Landmark Theater at the time and people asked us almost daily when it was opening months before the planned release.) A movie like this has to play well to the intended audience of older adults and it does so splendidly. Just like the first movie, the talented cast of very accomplished British actors have solid chemistry together. John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) is back directing which is rare for the same director to come back to make the second one. Usually this is reserved for high quality comic book based blockbusters (Marvel’s The Avengers which opened the same day as the original Marigold movie). This is either progress or a set back for Hollywood. I’m going to be optimistic and claim the former.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is just as charming and delightful as the original movie. A movie like this has to play well to the intended audience and it does so splendidly.

What I enjoyed the most about The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was how it was (almost) on par with the original. It didn’t sacrifice the charm and character of the first movie. This is rare accomplishment for a sequel in the film industry…even more rare than making a sequel with a cast in their 60’s and not American! They are thriving despite their old age. It wont hold them back. It is great to see these characters back together again. A nice addition to the movie’s cast is Richard Gere. This is a reminder that a generation of actors are aging. One difference is this is filmed on a bigger scale, particular the engagement and wedding scenes. Like in Shakespeare in Love, John Madden likes to make low key comedies on a large scale.

In a sign confidence, Fox Searchlight is releasing The Second Best Exotic Marigold wide where a majority of audiences will see it. Older adults who live in small to medium size towns typically don’t have Judi Dench movies play in their theaters. With this savvy (by today’s standards) strategy, a movie like The Second Best Marigold Hotel is accessible. I complain about sequels but a follow up where the demographic are older adults is a win-win for the industry and audiences! The Marigold Hotel movies are the closest thing to a Downton Abbey movie we will see, so its vital to make it available to all audiences. Like The Trip to Italy, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel shockingly felt like a continuation of telling the story with these character instead of a rare indie-specialty cash grab. These movies continue to surprise me and audiences will continue to love them, too.

I rate The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel a 6 out of 10.