sergelamarche
With a top cast, the whole thing was charming but oh so formula and goody. I lost interest in the characters mid-way and could not go back. The subject matter seemed so artificially pumping up India for old people. I couldn't imagine any of these people genuinely interested in living in India.
TheLittleSongbird
Considering how great the first film was, 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' had a lot to live up to. Despite the mixed reviews, the cast are such a talented one and it did look interesting. Did also question the point initially and, considering that sequels with a few exceptions rarely are as good or better than their predecessors, expectations were sort of mixed.Finally seeing 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', it was moderately enjoyable but with a fair share of faults so was a disappointment compared to its predecessor. Not as bad as some reviewers have made out, but it could have been much better and the complaints/criticisms are understandable and legitimate from personal opinion.Starting with 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's' faults, it does get off to a slow start with the first half an hour taking too long to get going. There are also too many subplots, some of them not developed enough, slow the film down and are a little too contrived-ly written.Not all the cast work this time either. Dev Patel and Tamsin Grieg are annoying, but worst of all is an out of place Richard Gere who is very wooden as a character that was better left out. A little too heavy on the clichés too, with not enough done to make them interesting.However, 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' looks absolutely splendid. It's gorgeously filmed and the scenery is to die for. As is the lovely and authentic in flavour music.Parts of the script do work well, though the first film achieved a better balance of funny comedy and heartfelt drama. There are some heart-warming life lessons, some funny witty moments, uplifting warmth and cosy charm. The story is problematic, being a bit slow going in places and bloated, but does boast enough heart and charm, the ending is very touching.Of the talented cast, the standouts are the always good Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Bill Nighy is a lot of fun too as is Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup similarly charms. One does miss Tom Wilkinson however.In summary, second best but not second rate. 6/10 Bethany Cox
l_rawjalaurence
The sequel to THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (2011) contains some familiar cinematic stereotypes about India: the extraordinarily bright light; the teeming streets; the slightly comic citizens who agree with the British yet pursue their own lives; and the colorful dance sequences and wedding ceremony straight out of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (2008). The star is the same as well: Dev Patel has a leading role in both films.Yet John Madden's film still retains a certain charm of its own. This is partly due to the sharp script (by Ol Parker) that gives a fair proportion of acerbic one-liners to Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith). Smith has always had a penchant for delivering such material effectively dating right back to her early career at the National Theatre in the mid-Sixties. There are also some delightful cameos from Ronald Pickup as a randy pensioner discovering to his cost that his long-time partner (Diana Hardcastle) is equally as sexually adventurous as himself; and David Strathairn as an American tycoon much taken with Mrs. Donnelly's down-to-earth negotiating style.The film is multi-plotted, encompassing two will-they-won't-they romances between Sonny (Patel), Sunaina (Tina Desai), and Evelyn (Judi Dench) and Douglas (Bill Nighy). We know perfectly well that both will end happily, but it's rather fun to see how they get there, with Sonny having to overcome his pathological jealousy of Kushal (Shazad Latif), and Douglas dealing with his vindictive wife Jean (Penelope Wilton).Throughout the action there is always the persistent presence of death; that this group of pensioners having such a wonderful time will soon be broken up. The film has a tragi-comic ending, which perhaps takes longer than it should to unfold (rather too many dance-sequences intercut with long close-ups of one actor), but eventually we understand how and why the hotel has become such a success, giving people the chance to flourish rather than to fester away in some anonymous looking retirement home.
d-nicol6444
I found this film lively and exciting. The plot was intricate enough to surprise with its next denouement. It was very well cast except for Tamsin Greig whom I just can't warm to. To me she is always the fly in the ointment. Black Books was great but her frequent pointless appearances were irritating and annoying. I don't like her looks, her voice, and her attempts to be 'cutesy'. Most people would disagree with me. That doesn't bother me. Maggie Smith, on the other hand, was a brilliant choice. She seemed to enter the role with enthusiasm and enjoyment. Her performances get better with every new role. And 'they' say that older women don't get good roles. She is proof that this is not true. I've followed Bill Nighy's career since its beginning. His particular characteristics, e.g. snorting when he laughs, his loping walk, his facial and vocal expressions are masterly. I've watched the Marigold Hotel films many times, each time enjoying them afresh. Sunni is beyond excellent. Having been to India I did not find the film's portrayal of this vibrant country accurate. The perpetual music became monotonous and intrusive. I never heard music like that when I was there, only 5 years ago.
AD
