Review of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015) by Gustavo B — 06 Mar 2015

+Visiting "The 2nd Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' is like spending time with old, emphasis on old, friends who can be annoying and irritating but are fun to be around.

The star power shines brightly and it is sheer fun just to see the banter between the two Dames Dench and Smith, who can be cutting to each other but with an underlying tenderness. It is fun to watch Bill Nighy fumble, stammer and stutter in his pursuit of Dench. Along with Ronald Pickup, Diana Hardcastle, Celia Imrie, Tasmin Greig, Penelope Wilton it is always a joy to watch the world of British actors enjoying every word they say as if it is for the ages.

Though not quite in the Dench and Smith age range the American actors Richard Gere and David Strathairn seem to battling for the 'silver fox' title though Dench could give them a run for the title hair wise.

Dev Patel, as the young and very enthusiastic owner of the original Marigold Hotel, and engaged to Tina Desai, is looking to expand and add a second exotic Marigold hotel and isn't above using his mother Lillete Dubey as a pawn, thrusting her into Richard Gere's arms to help the expansion plans.

Both on screen and in real life Maggie Smith is 19 days older than Judi Dench and is not above using it to win a point or two. Watching these two Dames you hope they will be around a few more decades to entertain us but then the whole cast, the whole picture has only one job here and that is to entertain us and that they do.

Director John Madden, as he did in the first film, keeps the actors and the action moving, getting out of the way of the actors so the audience can enjoy them as much as he seems to. Ol Parker, the screenwriter, hands one liners to the actors that he knows will get a smile if for no other reason than the way they will deliver them and that they do.

Taking advantage of Jaipur, India, and the customs of the Indian people, the wedding that takes place provides an easy happy ending and an excellent Bollywood number.

Like most sequels "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" doesn't have the surprise element of the first but familiarity with the characters, plus the addition of Richard Gere, make up for not having that element of surprise. Add to the satisfaction of seeing superb British actors enjoying themselves, and who actually let you know they are, plus the enthusiasm and chemistry in their scenes will put a big smile on your face.