The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
21/03/15 Filed in: Cinema
We managed to fit in a second film this week, namely The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I suppose a sequel was inevitable following the success of the first film. The formula is much the same, with more or less the same people, although Richard Gere comes on the scene to add some additional appeal for the women, Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) being particularly impressed.
Following the success of the first hotel the natural plot line was for expansion. Sonny (Dev Patel) and Muriel (Maggie Smith) duly go to America to try to secure backing. This opening sequence with Dev enjoying himself in his Mustang cruising along Route 66 is well done, the interview with the prospective backers being particularly amusing. The whole film is of course amusing and makes for good entertainment.
I must admit these films make India look very appealing and I would think there may be quite a few people out there of a certain age who feel that a real-life Exotic Hotel experience might be just the thing for them. Life can of course be somewhat less romantic than fiction but I could see the attraction.
Following the success of the first hotel the natural plot line was for expansion. Sonny (Dev Patel) and Muriel (Maggie Smith) duly go to America to try to secure backing. This opening sequence with Dev enjoying himself in his Mustang cruising along Route 66 is well done, the interview with the prospective backers being particularly amusing. The whole film is of course amusing and makes for good entertainment.
I must admit these films make India look very appealing and I would think there may be quite a few people out there of a certain age who feel that a real-life Exotic Hotel experience might be just the thing for them. Life can of course be somewhat less romantic than fiction but I could see the attraction.
Sonny gets married in this sequel and much of the plot revolves around this event, complicated by the ups and downs of his endeavour to buy the second hotel. A mooted visit by a hotel inspector representing the American backers brings back memories of the unforgettable episode of Fawlty Towers when Basil seriously sucks up to a man who he thinks is a hotel reviewer, only to find out too late that he chose the wrong man. In this film things turn out to be slightly more complicated.
Of course everything comes out alright in the end, although we are left with some concerns for Muriel, who seems to be guarding a personal secret that's perhaps going to influence the next sequel, should there be one.
Of course everything comes out alright in the end, although we are left with some concerns for Muriel, who seems to be guarding a personal secret that's perhaps going to influence the next sequel, should there be one.