Ol Parker

An excellent sequel to the first 'Exotic Marigold Hotel' film (which really needs to be watched before this). Judi Dench and Maggie Smith head an all-start cast of British actors, with the addition of Richard Gere as a token American. Dev Patel is superb as the enthusiastic but rather naive and insecure Sonny, whose idea it was originally to have a hotel for long-term elderly residents in India.

Some gentle humour, some poignancy, a lot of subplots and the vibrancy of Indian markets and parties. Superbly done. I didn't entirely follow one or two of the details but it didn't much matter. Definitely recommended.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-second-best-exotic-margold-hotel...… (more)

We enjoyed this very much, both watching for the first time, and again eight years later. A diverse group of retired Brits (with an all-star cast including Judi Dench and Maggie Smith) travel to a hotel in India, which is a long way from being the luxury accommodation described in its advertising.

Dev Patel is brilliant as the enthusiastic hotel manager Sonny, and the whole is an entertaining, often amusing but also poignant and thought-provoking film. India is portrayed as colourful, loud, chaotic at times, but with many valuable principles, while the Brits have a range of hang-ups, biases and (in a couple of cases) prejudices.

Definitely recommended.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel-dev-p...… (more)