The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (DVD REVIEW)
The
Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
DVD
Review by Kam Williams
Lighthearted Sequel Features More Seniors' Shenanigans in Indian Rest
Home
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: 123 minutes
Distributor:
Fox Home Entertainment
DVD
Extras: Story; Cast; Returning to the Marigold Hotel; Blossoming
Relationships; The Marigold Wedding; Filming in India; and a stills
gallery.
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see a trailer for The
Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,
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a copy of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
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