Review of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015) by Jackie M — 07 Mar 2015

Chipped-Together Sequel.

Everyone knows that sequels are mainly, if only, made to make more money for the studios and filmmakers. And, so it is with "Second Marigold." It has an entertaining opening, but after the opening titles run about 15 minutes in, the movie quickly feels chipped together. You definitely sense how the screenwriter is just trying to come up with enough various plot threads to interweave to make for a reasonable running time.

There are some plot threads that work like the Bill Nighy-Judi Dench relationship. But, more of others that feel pretty strained, like Dev Patel running around freaked out and flustered for the sole sake of being freaked out and flustered. Definitely comes across as sitcom-level stuff. Also, Richard Gere seems at least half asleep here throughout. Guess his collecting an easy paycheck wasn't enough to keep him awake!

The performances are just fine, as is the direction, cinematography and film score. The music is by Thomas Newman, who has a good knack for getting into the swing of a certain musical style and providing a good match for the movie.

Okay, but pretty much in-one-ear-out-the-other stuff.