[projekktor id=’17933′]
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was something of a surprise hit when it premièred in 2012. An adaptation of the Deborah Moggach novel These Foolish Things, the film was turned down by multiple studios before landing at Participant Media, who saw potential in the concept of outsourcing retirement. Buoyed by a strong cast of veteran actors and the steady-hand of director John Madden, the film was a refreshing look at love in the twilight years that resonated with audiences to the tune of about $46 million in domestic box office earnings. This weekend John Madden hopes to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time with The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
The films begins with the Marigold’s owner Sonny (Dev Patel) and manager Muriel (Maggie Smith) heading to America to look for investors for a second hotel. It seems the Marigold Hotel has a unique problem in that it’s elderly guests don’t want to leave, and the only way Sonny can expand his business is by finding more rooms (or, as he brings up regularly, if the guests die). With the promise that the investors will send an inspector out to see Sonny and Muriel’s operation, they head back to India and their beloved hotel where the same romantic shenanigans and marital tensions are at work as in the first film.
Now well-removed from her husband’s death, Judi Dench’s Evelyn spends her days purchasing fabrics from local merchants while coyly flirting with Bill Nighy’s bumbling tour-guide Douglas. Flirtatious couple Carol (Diana Hardcastle) and Norman (Ronald Pickup) are finding their new found monogamy overwhelming . When Norman accidentally takes out a hit on her with a local rickshaw driver, he soon realizes she’s having an affair which leads him to re-evaluate their relationship. Meanwhile Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) is leading on two wealthy Indian suitors, trying to decide which one she should marry. Into this mix comes Guy Chambers (Richard Gere) a handsome American guest who Sonny immediately decides must be the hotel inspector. Arriving on the same day is Lavinia Beech (Tamsin Greig) a middle-aged woman who claims to be checking out the hotel for her mother.
Underscoring the drama of the guests are the preparations for Sonny’s wedding to Sunaina (Tina Desai). More concerned with growing his business than with the happiness of his fiancée, Sonny is upset to find that Sunaina is spending a lot of time with the handsome and charming Kushal (Shazad Latif), a close family friend. When Sonny discovers he’s in direct competition with Kushal for the new hotel, it only serves to make matters worse. Meanwhile, Sonny’s mother catches the eye of Guy Chambers, and Sonny sees an opportunity to ingratiate himself with the assumed inspector.
As is probably evident in two paragraphs of exposition, The Second Best Marigold Hotel manages to pack a lot of story into its two hour runtime. The veteran performers are all on their game, meaning each plotline is executed well and there are no characters who fall flat. Dev Patel is a total ball of energy as Sonny, bouncing around the screen like a testament to youth amidst the senior cast. This excess of British charm allows the film to enjoyably flow along, even when the supposed major conflict (Sonny’s purchasing of a second hotel) feels a little contrived.
The Second Best Marigold Hotel is a great bet for a feel good time at the movies. While I am far from the intended audience for the film, it’s easy to see why the novel and first feature were so popular. This newest installment is sure to delight fans of the first film, though it may not cause quite the stir the second time around.
Reviewed by Evan Arppe.
