The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

As Good As It Gets

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The original was good. The "Second Best" - forget it. Too much time wasted in Bollywood dance scenes. Sonny putting up with Sunaina's antics was disgusting. Her prima-donna, shove my ex-boyfriend in my future husband's face, attitude is something no one entering marriage should have to put up with. Of course, I'm old fashioned about marriage, believing that couples should always strive to support and build each other up.

Dev Patel's career has matured over his Indian trilogy, starting with Slumdog Millionaire, and then the two Exotic Marigold Hotels, and then Lion. Ironically the Indian Patel clan own thousands of hotels across the USA, so not sure if it's a coincidence or not. "A Patel Motel Cartel?" is an insightful NYT magazine article published on 4 July 1999 (Independence Day!) and written by Oxford graduate Tunku Varadarajan.This is a charming sequel, and Richard Gere is Richard Gere, suave and appealing to the audience. Jai ho! Bill Nighy is Bill Nighy, fantastic, and I remember first seeing him in the mini-series The Men's Room back in the 90s. Actually, Bill's wife Diana Quick has Indian ancestors.The ending has a dance scene (what else?) just as Slumdog Millionaire ended.I would love to see a sequel, but the director has said this is unlikely because the actors are getting on in their years. Perhaps there should be a reboot with a younger stellar cast that brings together actors needing a comeback.

Hi, I'm a movie fanatic: action, kick boxer, zombies, soppy love stories, you name it. The first one was okay. As a baby boomer woman (so you won't stereotype my review), I found the first one a little boring and predictable. It was also depressing, not because of age or for any of the reasons that one might expect, but because it seemed to take a negative view throughout much of the movie. Let's take the wife, Jean Ainsle. At some point, you say to yourself, "Okay, okay, I have it. She's a (you know what). You don't have to beat it to death." But all of that is nothing compared to this movie. Even the sequences with Richard Gere and (not to spoil it) that are supposed to be charming do not make the grade. I will look up more about John Madden's life at some point but for now, has he been in therapy for his entire life for depression? Is he on antidepressants? What's the deal. These are not clever twists. We've seen all of this before in better movies.The negativity got so repetitive and useless--with all of the characters--if you think about it that I wondered what the point was. When Jean Ainsle showed up, I thought, "Oh yes, I guess we have to go here again." Sure, there are some glowing moments, but by that point, I wondered how I'd even made it through the movie. Earlier, I'd thought of just turning if off, but I plugged through.A movie cannot redeem itself simply through location or giving us more insight into another culture.

After having seen the first installment, "The best exotic marigold hotel", I had to see this one! Both films are very masterfully written, acted, directed, and produced! I'm not generally a fan of films that take place in foreign countries like India, although I like to keep an open mind. But the first film was so well done, especially the acting and writing, that I was hooked early on. There are many profound and deep subjects addressed and it inspires thought long after the film ends. This second film was every bit as good, if not better. I must applaud and thank everyone involved in the making of both films! I am definitely adding these to my collection and will recommend them highly! Every time I watch these movies I learn something new and appreciate them even more.