The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (FILM REVIEW)
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Film Review
by Kam Williams
It’s Back to the Subcontinent for Pleasant, if Pat, Sequel
When we last saw Sonny Kapoor (Dev
Patel), he had just proposed to his thoroughly-modern girlfriend Sunaina (Tina
Desai), much to the chagrin of his meddling, more traditional mother (Lillete
Dubey). The ambitious young entrepreneur had also landed the funds to renovate
his ramshackle hotel with the help of Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith), one of
the residents of the retirement community.
At the point of departure, we find Sonny (accompanied by Mrs.
Donnelly) en route to San Diego
where he hopes to interest an executive (David Strathairn) with the Evergreen
Corporation in investing in the second old folks home he hopes to open. After
all, the first is now flourishing and practically filled to capacity.
Meanwhile, back in India,
Sunaina is squarely focused on their impending engagement ceremony, also known
as a Sagai. In the groom-to-be’s conspicuous absence, she’s asked Kush (Shazad
Latif), a friend of the family, to fill in as a dance partner, so she can
practice the elaborately-choreographed routine she plans to perform at the
party with Sonny. It is subtly hinted that this handsome hunk might pose a
threat, given Sonny’s continued preoccupation with business matters upon his
return to the Subcontinent.
That is only one of several storylines in a romance-driven sequel
which unfolds more like a daytime soap opera than a fully fleshed-out feature
film. Scene after scene is simply a setup for another transparent love
triangle.
As she checks into the hotel, Lavinia Beach
(Tamsin Grieg) has her head turned by a fellow new guest (Richard Gere), but
Guy only has eyes for Sonny’s widowed mom. Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie), a
pretty British pensioner, can’t decide between the two, filthy-rich Indian
suitors she’s dating simultaneously. And Doug (Bill Nighy) has grown fond
enough of Evelyn (Judi Dench) to commit, though he hasn’t yet divorced his
estranged wife (Penelope Wilton) waiting in the wings. And so forth.
The irrepressible Sonny serves as a master of ceremonies of sorts
supposedly tying all these loose strands together. Unfortunately, because he’s
more of a clown this go-round, the film feels like a joke-to-joke farce not
intended to be taken seriously.
A pleasant, if predictable, romantic romp laced with far more mirth
than sophistication or substance.
Very Good
(2.5 stars)
Rated PG
for mild epithets and suggestive material
In English and Hindi with subtitles
Running time: 122 minutes
Distributor: Fox
Searchlight
To see a trailer for The
Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,
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