by Leah Stone
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was known for it’s charm, warmth and humour. Plus it had an utterly brilliant cast. Despite being a film about getting older and living life and it didn’t particularly sing “this will be loved by the whole world.” Instead you expected it to have a smaller audience. However it did extremely well in Box Office and this lead to the creation of a sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
But did it live up to the brilliance of the first film?
Of course it did!
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was known for it’s charm, warmth and humour. Plus it had an utterly brilliant cast. Despite being a film about getting older and living life and it didn’t particularly sing “this will be loved by the whole world.” Instead you expected it to have a smaller audience. However it did extremely well in Box Office and this lead to the creation of a sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
But did it live up to the brilliance of the first film?
Of course it did!
The film is centred around Sonny, our hotel owner, trying to expand The Best Marigold Hotel services by creating a second hotel with the help of Muriel. All the while, he is also preparing to marry his fiancé Sunaina. Like in the first film he messes up a couple of times, makes many misconceptions, comes out with many ‘philosophical’ sayings that don’t really make sense and he indulges us with moments that may be a bit cringy but that are also extremely confusing. On the other side of the hotel, Douglas and Evelyn are trying to get a relationship going which is proving even more difficult when Jean, Douglas' ex-wife, comes back to the hotel unannounced with his daughter. There is also the arrival of Guy who Sonny sees as a perfect match for his mother. With all these heated people in the romantic atmosphere of India, could they develop their emotions?
Unlike the first film, there is a slight darkness surrounding one of the characters which makes the audience feel a tinge of sadness. Although the death of Graham in the first film was filled with grief, his passing was actually poignant with a sweet undercurrent that he had died fulfilling a final wish. Here, the serious undertone is carried in conjuncture to the comedy and fills the movie with more depth than just laughs.
The acting is excellent, as you would expect from such an experienced and highly talented cast. We revel in Muriel’s grumpiness, can’t help feeling fluffy inside due to Douglas (Bill Nighy) and Evelyn’s (Judi Dench) blooming romance. Newcomer Guy (Richard Gere) brings his charm and dashing good looks, whilst other newcomer Tamsin Greig (Lavinia) tends to get left as a bit of an outsider.
Unlike the first film, there is a slight darkness surrounding one of the characters which makes the audience feel a tinge of sadness. Although the death of Graham in the first film was filled with grief, his passing was actually poignant with a sweet undercurrent that he had died fulfilling a final wish. Here, the serious undertone is carried in conjuncture to the comedy and fills the movie with more depth than just laughs.
The acting is excellent, as you would expect from such an experienced and highly talented cast. We revel in Muriel’s grumpiness, can’t help feeling fluffy inside due to Douglas (Bill Nighy) and Evelyn’s (Judi Dench) blooming romance. Newcomer Guy (Richard Gere) brings his charm and dashing good looks, whilst other newcomer Tamsin Greig (Lavinia) tends to get left as a bit of an outsider.
The set is also beautiful. Returning back to the unique beauty of the first hotel, you are still swept up in its crumbling, old exterior with its homely decor. We also get to explore more of the area around the hotel, as well as travelling to Mumbai as Douglas goes to see his daughter give a grand speech and Evelyn goes for business.
There is a lot going on. With so many characters, there are many story-lines to explore. The theme of the film is to live as much as you can with the time you have, and that is exactly what each of the characters do. Maybe there was a bit too much happening, but it’s nice that each of the characters get a look-in.
The film, overall, does what it set out do do. It delivers laughs, it makes you think about life and after watching it, you really don’t mind the thought that you will one day have to grow old.
Because this film shows that your life is over once you retire.
No, a new phase of your life begins.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is out in cinemas now!
There is a lot going on. With so many characters, there are many story-lines to explore. The theme of the film is to live as much as you can with the time you have, and that is exactly what each of the characters do. Maybe there was a bit too much happening, but it’s nice that each of the characters get a look-in.
The film, overall, does what it set out do do. It delivers laughs, it makes you think about life and after watching it, you really don’t mind the thought that you will one day have to grow old.
Because this film shows that your life is over once you retire.
No, a new phase of your life begins.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is out in cinemas now!
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