The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

01 March 2015 - 11:15 Bolton

With the smell of Wintergreen, Werther's Originals and Old Spice, Clare and I, definitely the younger of the audience by far, sat in the excessively large cinema eagerly awaiting the continued adventures of the decaying cast.

The day before we had watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel from a recording on Film 4 and thoroughly enjoyed it.  A group of aged individuals decide to pack up their lives in the UK and move to a "retirement village" in Jaipur, India.  Although the plans are in a very early stage and the young hotel manager has serious delusions of grandeur the gaggle of grannies decide to stay on and make a new life at the hotel.  Distinguished gentleman find their charms work at a local social club, Cultural learnings are matched in call centres and Dame Maggie Smith's skills with working the books is fruitful for the hotel in the long run.  Not really much happens in the film, but we both thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters were all completely lovable (except Bill Nighy's wife)

With most of the cast back for the second outing, and new comers like the Silver Fox Richard Gere, our favourite over ambitious Hotelier is looking to expand his business and buy a second hotel, also he is trying to plan his wedding to the beautiful Sunaina.  Throw into the mix the Hotel Inspector plot from Faulty Towers and chaos will ensue.  

Whereas the first film seemed to be about finding life at an older age, the 2nd best seemed to try and put more story, rivalry and threat into the film as well as the usual Maggie Smith complaining (which is just brilliant).  I was happy to spend time with Judi, Bill, Ronald, Celia and Sonny, but the story seemed a little too chaotic at some points.

I think the original film worked because of the lack of major plot points, twists and turns and just that it was a nice, feel good film.  The Second outing seemed to try really hard, and sometime fell flat.  I must say, I came out of this film with a real urge to go to India, and with Clare already having been and wishing to go back, I know this is a destination that will be on the cards soon.