Review of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015) by Leon B — 30 Aug 2015

Review:

Although this movie had some top class actors in it, the storyline lacked wit and I did get a bit bored after a while. The characters were less interesting than how they were in the first movie but there was a sweet undertone which made the movie watchable. Now that the first hotel is a success, Sonny seeks funds from an investor in America to open up a second hotel but he has to pass the undercover investigation before they go ahead with the deal. This is when the dashing Richard Gene enters the movie and Sonny gives him special treatment because he suspects that he is the undercover investigator. Gere takes a special liking to Sonny's mum but she hasn't been near a man since her husband died in the last movie. Sonny is also jealous of his fiancee's brothers best friend who is teaching her how to dance at there wedding party. With all this going on, Dench and Nighy clearly like each other but certain circumstances make there relationship hard to blossom. There are some other elements to the storyline but they weren't anything that amazing. Maggie Smith is brilliant throughout the movie but I did find Sonny, played by Dev Patel, quite annoying because of his over enthusiastic behaviour. All of the individual storylines were left open so you don't really know what happens to the characters, even though you've watched them for nearly two hours. Anyway, it's a sweet movie about getting old and falling in love and the amazing costumes and stunning scenery did look impressive but the actual film was a bit of a let down. Watchable but not that great!

Round-Up:

I personally think that it was the success of the first movie that made audiences flock to the cinema to see this sequel. The cast is amazing and the movie was authentic with vibrant colours but the content wasn't that great. Richard Gere, 66, pops up throughout the film but he wasn't in the movie that much. Its mostly about the relationship between Sonny and his fiancee who hit a bit of a rocky patch whilst preparing there wedding. Dev Patel has starred in a weird range of films since he hit the big screen in 2008 with Slumdog Millionaire, which include Chappie, the Last Airbender, Cherry and the Road Within. He done a great job alongside some established veteran actors in this movie but he still has a way to go to prove that he is a great actor. The movie was directed by John Madden who brought you Shakespeare in Love, the Debt with Helen Mirren, Proof with Anthony Hopkins, Captain Corelli's Mandolin with Nicolas Cage and Mrs. Brown with Judi Dench. He did get the most out of the brilliant cast in this movie but the script was a bit weak and it lacked the originality that the first movie had. Its still good to see how the same characters have progressed in life and I enjoyed the dance scenes towards the end but I was hoping for more from this sequel.

Budget: $10million.

Worldwide Gross: $86million.

I recommend this movie to people who are into their comedy/dramas about a hotel owner who wants to expand his business by opening another hotel. 4/10.